PICKENS — Despite dreary weather, a large crowd showed up to see the crowning of the South Carolina State Fiddling Champion on Sept. 21 at Hagood Mill.

A surprisingly large number of visitors and competitors braved the periodic showers of the day to enjoy the exceptional line-up of talented men, women and youngsters at Pickens County’s 17th annual Ole Time Fiddlin’ Convention.

Kristen Harris of Columbia took home the top honors as the South Carolina State Fiddling Champion.

Second place went to Peyton O’Kelley, while Marion Boatwright earned third.

Pinetop Revival, composed of Dawn and Steve Cantrell, Josh Johnson, Andrew Lathe and Dan Wood, earned first-place in the stringband competition, followed by Crooked Pine in second and Wyld Scallions in third.

In the junior fiddle competition, Beth Hood took first place, followed by Mary Johnson in second.

Doug Rostick won first in the banjo competition, while Troy Harrison took second and Bailey George took third.

Danielle Yother earned first-place honors in the guitar competition, followed by Alex Alexander in second and Rowdy Hood in third.

In the wildcat open competition, Alexander finished first, followed by Hood in second and a tie between George and Jess Arnold in third.

Yother took first in the junior open competition, followed by Johnson in second and Keana Dover in third.

The 17th annual Ole Time Fiddlin’ Convention and S.C. State Fiddling Championship was sponsored by the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Security Solutions and a private benefactor.