Wednesday, September 3, 1975
daily ricuraskan
page 15
md Muddy Waters
Story by Chuck Beck
Photos by Steve Boerner
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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.
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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."
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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.
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