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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 1975)
Wednesday, September 3, 1975 daily ricuraskan page 15 md Muddy Waters Story by Chuck Beck Photos by Steve Boerner 01 '- "it. rj -feidHf v, ; ( J ... ' - if- i '! : - Ft ' flivwTr u - - - S h ! . . -1 .v.? A xsv - . - i tv .... . j .. . r- : . , -rSl s.J- -T.r4 -i, - I ,- . A I ry?' -. ? . ' ' "Tr j'.tT ... . ... ... ... ...... ( ' ' ... ... feTiJi.. : r 'c fe-, . i Brownville, Neb. -A short-lived tent town grew here last weekend as perhaps 36,000 persons invaded the southeastern Nebraska community to see the National Fiddle and Country Music Contest. The event was sponsored by the Brownville Historical Society to raise funds for restoring historical buildings in the area, said Charles Ilahn, co-chairman. His wie, Sharon, is the other sponsor for the contest, which was set in the town ofl 76 people. Most viewers, however, forgot about the contests impact on Brownville. Debris was left in the wake of the camping blue grass music fans who watched events taking place from Saturday morning to late Sunday evening. Ea2 gkia One fan reportedly strolled from tent to tent Saturday night wearing nothing but his athletic socks and sneakers. The town seemed unprepared for the throng of people as lines of hungry concert gosrs waited outside the only cafe in Brownviiie. Smokers could not buy cigarettes after Sunday noon, when the cafe sold out Its stock and the bar nd gas station remained closed. Walking from tent to tent, ons heard taped music from the Rolling Stones iniennmgled with the music of country musicians tuning up for the contest. Musicians from California and Minnesota, as 'cIJ s Nebraska, competed in fw categories-the junior pickers (18 and. under), tiunf pickers, fiddlers and bands. The compstlfoii wrs graded by local musicians who judged the music for its tonal quality, execution and variation in" sound, Hahn said. Informal publicity He said most of the publicity for the contest was informal. "We sent out some promotional literature before the contest, but generally people just know about it," he said. Although no violence occurred, local residents apparently want a professional promoter to sponsor the event for better organization and tighter security. Dorothy Broady, Brownville Historical Society member, said she was amazed at the success the local historical society had es sponsor of the event. "But a few people could make it (the event) unpleasant if there were agitators in the crowd" she said, 'it seemed like there was almost a mob here Saturday night." Qukt Dave Thien, a security guard, said things were quiet in the area during the weekend, despite parties that took . Broady also said the event should be moved about a mile from the town to prevent traffic congestion. The contest was staged at the State Park and Recreation Area adjacent to Brownville. . Even with local opinion against historical society sponsorship of the event, It will be promoted by someone next year, Hahn said. There is no reason for the contest to be discontinued if major problems do not develop, he said. i 1 : m - to j