Come Grab a Rake, or Paint Brush

 In advance on this summer's we're going to have a work party this Saturday, June 10 starting around noon at the Mercier Ranch 1 mile south of Livingston on US 89.

We've got picnic tables in need of TLC as well as some tree limb removal to do, but this is really just a motive to throw a party, jam a bit, and to re-kindle the excitement for this summer's picnic August 4-6....might even drag out the grille..

Stop by if yer able!

Fiddler's 2023 is a go for this summer!

 Well, there been at lot of water spilled over the dam since we last visited! The short version of the catch-up story is the 2023 Montana State Old time Fiddler's Picnic IS ON FOR AUGUST 4-6, 2023 AT THE MERCIER RANCH IN LIVINGSTON, MT!  

More details to come in the upcoming weeks!

Fiddlers 2019 is 30 Days Out!

Fiddlers 2019 is on the horizon so mark your calendars for August 2-4 and head to to Paradise Valley for a great musical weekend!.

Fiddler's 2018....more fun than should be legal

What did he look like?
..............."he was a country looking gent wearing overalls and a white shirt."

"Ma'am that description fits just about everyone here..could you be a bit specific?"

Mark Your Calendars for August 3-5, 2018!

We're less than a month out for Fiddler's 2018 so get your guitars out and your fiddles tuned!  The fun starts Friday, August 3rd and continues until Sunday August 5th with the potluck picnic on Saturday with plenty of pickin' and grinnin' in between.

As always this is free event open to all musicians and music lovers of traditional American fiddle, country, bluegrass and whatever other type of music you like to play.

Camping spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the north pasture. As a reminder this a dry camping venue with no potable water or utility hookups available so bring what you need.

This event would not be possible without a large number of volunteers who help us prepare every year and we are always welcoming new folks. Our preparation the week of the event usually begins at the Ranch on Wednesday and consists mainly of grass cutting, weed eating, and a general sprucing up of the grounds. If you are in the Livingston area and would like to volunteer or arrive early to camp, come on by and introduce yourself!   

Fiddler's 2017 is just about here!!.

August 4-6, 2017 at the Mercier Ranch..... Mark it down!!

Come on down for some fine picking and fellowship if you find yourself in the Livingston, MT area. Our party is for musicians put on by musicians and as always, everyone is welcome to participate, watch, sing and dance.  Admission is free and fun is available.  We are expecting a lot of the same characters and a return visit of the Tin-Can Tourist Vintage Trailer folks.....We usually get rolling Friday afternoon and wrap at around noon on Sunday.  Hope to see you there!

Whacking Grass....

It's all play once the work is done. We had grass 18" deep when we started mowing and now it looks a little more civilized around the ranch!

We're about 60 days out or so. Looking forward to a summer of picking!

Summer Picking 2016 Starts in January......

That's right folks! No sense in suffering through the mid-winter doldrums. Winter Pick 2016 in Gardiner, Montana starts off the Montana "summer" picking season of January 29-31 at the Super 8 Motel. The picking is all indooors (we may be diehards but we're not nuts)  and the reservations fill fast. Join the fun and string music fellowship!

No waiting for summer to start yer picking!

Picnic Sampler!

Here's an early taste and happy holidays!!

Fiddler's Picnic July 31-August 2, 2015........

Uncle Tom saws another fine tune

Since I'm so late with the 2014 wrap-up, we'll just say it was  a smashing good time. With that, I'll post a few pictures and move on to 2015.

Mark your calenders for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2015 for Fiddler's number 41 and picnic, potluck, and of course great music and fellowship!

As always the gathering is open to all musicians and we operate in a jam format which means there are no organized performances or schedule. Find a circle you like and join in!

The fiddle and old-time fiddle music is the central theme, however the gathering is not limited to simply fiddle players. Got an old tuba? Bring it and who knows, you might start a new trend!   

Here's some memories from this past summer.......

40 years! Where has the time gone....

 

   

Matt Kinman from "The Backporch  of America" stopped in 

Chefs like this are enough to drive you to Arby's

Focus!

Fun for all ages!

Everyone's waiting for you two!

2013 Wrap-up.........

Our Tin-Can Tourist guests joined the fun!

Fiddlers 2013 has come and gone and again we were blessed with good times, good weather, and no mosquitoes......or at least very few.  We were happy to have new guests with the vintage trailer enthusiasts from the Tin Can Tourists and Sisters on the Fly.  By all accounts vintage trucks/trailers and Americana Music seem to be a good fit!

Many thanks to Dal Smilie  from Helena for organizing and coordinating the trailer end of things. Who knows it may become a permanent part of our annual event!

As usual the our cast of "regulars" came early and left late and played until the last bow stroke.....

 

 

 
 

 



 

Join us next year on August 1-3, 2014 for more of the same fun and musical fellowship. Until then follow us right here or on Facebook at Montana Old-Time Fiddler's Picnic! 

Fiddler's 2013 Welcomes Trailer Enthusiasts

        

While the Fiddler's Picnic has been going for 39 years, this year we are happy to welcome members of various vintage groups who will gather on-site during this year's picnic.

 

Call it an event within an event, if you will.

 

 

 

 

The gathering was the brainchild and organized by long-time trailer guy/picnic attendee, Dal Smilie of Helena, MT.  Though not all know Dal, his beautiful 48 Stude and chrome "armadillo" have been a picnic fixture for a few years now. 

 

The gathering will include members of the Tin Can Tourists, Sister's On The Fly, and the Vintage Airstream Club, as well as others. Bring your love for vintage trailers and Americana  music and join us at the Mercier Ranch August 2-4.

 

To commemorate this event Dal has come up with a special dash plaque available to vintage members for a $25 donation to picnic general fund. The plaques will also be available for purchase by all attendees for $25 and the usual picnic buttons will also be available for $5 each.

 

The donations are graciously accepted to help cover the costs of putting on this event, which include food expenses, Special Event insurance, portable toilets, power, fuel, and numerous other small but additive costs incurred to put on an event  of this nature.

 

For questions about the vintage trailer gathering contact Dal Smilie at dalsmilie@aol.com

 

 

    

 

  

Guitar Town, Montana....

A.K.A. Gardiner, MT..........Winterpick 2013 was a hoot!  Many thanks to Robert and Nichelle Grovenor and all their hands for organizing a great event and party........

The 2012 Picnic is in the Can.............

The weather man blessed us this year. Although our area is desperately in need of rain (it did come a week after the picnic) the fiddler's weekend was rain-free for the first time in a few years.  A great weekend of picking, sawing,and singing!.......

Doc and Dean light it up......

And a good time was had by all!.........

Dad we want out!

Fingers of lightning!

A new bassist was born!

 





Quick, look busy!......the boss mare is coming!



Picking into the wee hours!




 

This one's in C and goes like this boys!

Sing it Billy!




Hug a..........uh, nuclear physicist?!

Many thanks to all the participants and spectators for making this year's picnic one for the ages.  We would like to particularly thank the following for their tireless work and efforts in helping us throw this party:

Tom and Carol Finnicum

Roland Berry

Bill Calovis

Dick Eggar

Ken, Penny, Isabel, and Stanley Nelson

Bob Frisbee

Bruce (Chef Boy Are Dee) and Marion Cain

Jim "Doc" Allison

Dotty Hanson and Bill Wilkus
Heidi Torgerson and Chad Roberts......

.........and of course our dear mother, Virginia Cain

Next year's pinic dates..........August 2, 3, and 4, 2013.......Thanks to all and we'll see you next summer!


  

   





Thirty-Eight is On It's Way!.........

Well we've been rippin' and tearin' and clearing brush......getting ready for this summer's addition of the Montana Old-time Fiddler's Picnic. 

It's not all work, however..........

We manage to find the time to pick a tune or three between the chores. Remember to mark your calendars for August 3-5 and come join the fun!

 

So bring your flattops, fiddles, banjos and dobros and we'll see you in a few weeks!

Number 37 is in the Books....

The 2011 edition of the Fiddler's is officially past tense now.  The Mercier Ranch was rocking and swaying over the weekeend  and a great time was had by all!

Here's a few images/ faces of Fiddler's 2011......

We'll see you all next year August 3-5, 2012!