Left to Right: Tina Louise Barr (2nd) of Modesto, CA; Craig Harrel (1st) of Houston, TX and Betty Scott (3rd) of Dallas, TX.

Winfield, KS — The Walnut Valley Festival, home of several national and international instrument championships crowned the 2008 International Autoharp Champion September 18.

The Autoharp contest featured twelve contestants from nine different states including, Kansas, Colordao, Minnesota, Oklahoma, California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico.

Craig Harrel of Houston, TX was named the 2008 International Autoharp Champion taking home the 1st place trophy, $150 cash and a d’Aigle Cascade Autoharp by Pete Diagle of Des Moines, WA. Second place was awarded to Tina Louise Barr of Medesto, CA. Along with a trophy, Barr picked up $100 Cash and an Evoharp 21W Autoharp by The Dulcimer Shoppe/McSpadden of Mountain View, AR. Third place was awarded to Betty Scott from Dallas, TX. Scott won $50 and an OS45CE Oscar Schmidt Autoharp by Oscar Schmidt of Mundelein, WA.

Held annually each year on the 3rd weekend in September, the Walnut Valley Festival is the home of the International Autoharp Championship, the International Fingerstyle Guitar, the National Mountain Dulcimer, the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship, the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship and the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship. Other contests held at the Walnut Valley Festival are the Walnut Valley Mandolin Championship and the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle.