Northeast Fiddlers' Association

The earliest roots of the Northeast Fiddlers' Association (NEFA) trace back to a 1964 old-time music concert put on by music professor Ray McIntyre (Goddard College, Plainfield, VT). Inspired by the success of the concert, Clem Myers (who had performed at McIntyre's concert), Bob Slora (a friend of Myers), and Bob Clarke (a then-current Goddard student) began drafting plans and recruiting local musicians to participate in future follow-up concerts. By December 16, 1965 a charter was granted and NEFA became an incorporated non-profit organization. The first annual contest and show following incorporation was presented in 1966 in Woodbury, VT. The second contest and show was held in Middlebury, VT. Between 1968 and 1971 the contest and show was held in Montpelier, VT. Growing audience sizes and membership numbers exceeding 500 musicians prompted NEFA to shift its location in 1972 to Barre, VT where the association's performances remained until its yearly concerts ended in 2008.