Boots and Fiddles: Dancing in the Heart of Athens

When the music starts, the square moves.

It’s not just a concert. It’s a Texas tradition — built on steel guitars, fiddle strings, and the rhythm of two-stepping boots sliding across Main Street.

The Friday and Saturday night street dances at the Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion are more than a good time. They’re where generations meet, where strangers become partners, and where the music never stops moving.

Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys kick things off Friday, April 18, followed by the Craig Howell Band on Saturday, April 19 — both playing from 7 to 10 p.m. in front of the Henderson County Courthouse.

You’ll see couples who’ve been dancing together for decades next to kids trying to match Grandpa’s footwork. It’s come-as-you-are. Cowboy boots, sneakers, or bare feet — if you’re tapping your toe, you’re in.

And the dancing is just one piece of a weekend packed with music, contests, food, and family fun.

The 94th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion runs April 18–19, with free events happening across downtown. That includes live bands, kids’ activities, the Athens Farmers Market, a classic car show, and — at the center of it all — the fiddle competition at the Texan Theater with $7,500 in prize money on the line.

For schedules, updates, and raffle tickets to win a Gibson J-45 guitar, visit athensfiddlers.com.