Iowa State Fair

Fiddlers' Contest

August 17, 2022

David Bellegante, 62, of Des Moines, fiddled his way to a Grand Championship title in the Fiddlers’ Contest judged August 12-14 at the 2022 Iowa State Fair.

Ben McClure of Des Moines was named Runner-up Grand Champion Fiddler.

Qualifying contests for the Grand Championship were held Friday through Sunday. The winners of the 18-49 age division and 50 and older age group then advanced to the Grand Champion contest.

Complete results follow:

50 and Over

  1. David Bellegante, Des Moines
  2. Bettie Swarts, Indianola
  3. Leon Johnson, Mitchellville
  4. Jerry Hand, Ames
  5. Bruce Gardner, Madrid

Ages 18 to 49

  1. Ben McClure, Des Moines
  2. Lacey Partlow, Des Moines
  3. Katharina Schmidt, Des Moines
  4. Amy Vaughn, Ankeny
  5. Jennie Hargrove, Winterset

Ages 13-17

  1. Ava Vaughan, Ankeny
  2. Anna Stuart, Polk City
  3. Sam Alexander, Indianola
  4. Roman Willkom, Ankeny

Ages 12 and Under

  1. Olivia Vaughn, Ankeny
  2. Rowan Cornelius, Bondurant
  3. Kamsyn Grow, Bondurant
  4. Garron Dougan, Ankeny
  5. Saint Berger, Gilbert

5. Quinton Grow, Bondurant