Shore Lifestyle - Enjoy A Slice

Twenty years ago James G. and Nancy Barrett took a turn off a country road in West Virginia—beckoned by a plywood sign, the spray-painted hand made guide to a festival in the woods.  Residents of Berlin, MD and fiddlers and music fans from all over the country are still benefiting from this impromptu decision, the third weekend of September, 19 years later.

The Barretts had been visiting son Stephen at his college, Davis and Elkins in the Appalachian Mountains.   On the trip home, their little detour uncovered a Fiddler’s Convention in a small town--the centerpiece of activity that brought forth a spirited sense of community.   The Barretts arrived back in Berlin, MD and James, “Jim” had a new mission—bringing a similar festival to his hometown.

By all accounts, Jim Barrett was a man who got things done.  He was full of ideas, and had a network of friends and community members he could call upon to bring his often-innovative plans, to fruition. 

Jim along with brother Jack, were well known locally, and on the national level, in the car industry at a young age.   They were the youngest owners of a Chevrolet dealership in the country—Barrett Chevrolet on Old Ocean City Boulevard, in Berlin.  That was the day job. 

Jim, ever the “idea guy,” was always on the move, looking for the next project to tackle, or organization to be a part of.  He became the youngest council member in Berlin history, was instrumental in route 113 being dualized from the Delaware line to Berlin—which undoubtedly helped with business growth and tourism, and was one of many who fought to have Atlantic General Hospital built just across route 113 from the heart of Berlin.  Because of his tireless efforts towards the hospital, and years spent serving on the board, AGH dedicated an entire building to James G. Barrett in his honor, absent from the normal exchange of a monetary donation.  There were many other projects, including the revitalization of  Berlin in the 80’s, various building projects and philanthropies that Jim championed--that are certainly fodder for another article.   Jim Barrett is synonymous with Berlin—a true son whose extension of purpose always benefited the town he called home.

The Fiddler’s Convention takes center stage in Berlin this weekend, Friday September 24^th-Sunday September 26^th.  Featuring prior winning bluegrass bands Friday, a fiddling, banjo mandolin and bluegrass competition Sunday, and a bluegrass Gospel jam to close out the weekend on Sunday—this is the town’s largest multi-day event.  This festival has undoubtedly put Berlin on the map in the fiddling genre, and local merchants welcome the draw of additional patrons that may not have run across the little coastal town, otherwise.

The performers who travel from all over the country to participate, have truly embraced Berlin.  They seem to embody a spirit that is more about the sharing of their passion, than it is about traveling from festival to festival purely for monetary gain.  These performers are purists—they do what they do for the love of the genre, somewhat of a rarity in the music industry.  What spectators can anticipate is days and nights filled with heart felt free performances, perhaps some dancing in the streets from the all-age crowd, and a sense of community created from the music of the fiddlers, and courtesy of a long ago detour into a mountain town, by the Barretts.

Son Stephen Barrett, now nine years after his father’s passing, reflects on the festival and legacy that his father created.

“It’s incredible what it’s turned into.  The first year, we were all wondering what this thing could be, and there was a huge turnout even then.  It makes me appreciate my dad and his idea process—and it truly makes me feel he is in town for the weekend.”

This weekend, the Berlin Fiddler’s Convention welcomes home her founder in spirit, locals, and people from all over, for the 19^th annual festival—first uncovered in the mountains of West Virginia twenty years ago.

Festival Schedule here