Fiddlers plan to make next D.C. celebration

Jeffrey Libby

Friday, Feb. 2, 2001 | 10:31 a.m.

The Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers will most likely be going to Washington, D.C., after all.

Adam Schultheis, teacher of the 16-member troupe of schoolchildren ages 11 to 16, said Wednesday the old-time fiddle group has won a spot as the sole group to represent Nevada in the Independence Day Parade on July 4.

"This time it's based on merit, not on any politics," Shultheis said. "And I have it in writing."

In January the group, which specializes in early American traditional fiddle music, found itself cut at the last minute from inaugural ceremonies for Republican President George W. Bush.

Shultheis and others blamed the move by the Presidential Inaugural Committee on politics. The musicians played twice for national Democrats during the 2000 presidential campaign. Earlier verbal promises from state politicians from both parties were abandoned in the rush to organize events for a Republican celebration, Schultheis said.

Schultheis will have to win renewed support from donors who contributed $14,500 to finance the trip for the Inauguration. Letters were in the mail today letting donors know refunds would be forthcoming and asking them for renewed support for the July Fourth parade, he said.

The fiddlers have won prizes in several local parades.