The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center presents the Hoppin' John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention, now in its fifth year.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 17.

Hoppin' John is a three-day event for musicians, dancers and music lovers to come together and celebrate the traditions of old-time and bluegrass music. There are dance, instrument and band contests for all ages, square dances, a cook-off, and many unscheduled special musical moments. The convention helps keep traditional music alive and provides an opportunity for young people to play on stage and be exposed to some of the musicians who have helped inspire them in their love of traditional music. North Carolina is known for old-time and bluegrass fiddlers' conventions, and Hoppin' John is bound to become a favorite.

The event will kick off on Thursday night this year with local boys Big Fat Gap at 7 p.m. and a rowdy square dance with the Five Points Rounders at 9 p.m. Individual contests will begin on Friday afternoon and run throughout Saturday.

On Friday night at 9 p.m. and Saturday after the contests wrap up, the convention welcomes The Freight Hoppers, a high energy old-time band from the cradle of the Smoky Mountains, to the dance tent.

This year's Hoppin' John will be celebrating the 40th reunion of the Green Grass Cloggers, the premiere clogging group of North Carolina. The Green Grass Cloggers will be performing and offering workshops throughout the day on Saturday.

As always, there will be a Hoppin' John cook-off. Contests include: band (old-time, bluegrass, and nontraditional), old-time and bluegrass instrument (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass), folk song, and dance. There will also be contest for youth musicianship.

Friday admission is $8; Saturday admission is $12. Camping is $10 per vehicle per night or $15 per night for RVs. Day parking is free.

More information is available at www.hoppinjohn.org.