Through the maze, strains of fiddle and banjo morph from old-time into bluegrass and back again, sometimes taking a Celtic turn, a bagpipe wheezing through the night air. The Old Fiddlers Convention becomes an extended family. Faces light up as familiar eyes meet in a crowd of listeners. Fellow musicians or fans share hugs and memories. Under the same canopy as Mr. McMillian, musicians from nearby Smyth, Grayson and Montgomery counties share meals, music and drink with others from as far away as Florida.
Many musicians register to compete just for the privilege of camping with fellow musicians.
Most know each other through the regular Thursday night picking sessions at Ronnie Poe's garage in Amissville. Mr. Riley says Galax is more about fellowship than competition. Someone will be listening to your jam session and invite you to come over and eat with them. It's a great feeling to come that far, meet people for the first time and do that. That's one of the great things about music, the fellowship.