54th National Flat-Picking Championships Contest Prizes
The Walnut Valley Association extends its sincere appreciation to the instrument and accessory makers whose generous contributions provide prize awards for the 54th National Flat-Picking Championships. Their continued support and dedication to the musicians participating in the Walnut Valley Festival Championships make these events possible and help sustain a tradition of musical excellence.
We encourage anyone considering the purchase of a new instrument to explore the work of these exceptional luthiers and craftspeople. Through their cooperation, artistry, and commitment to quality craftsmanship, these prestigious championships continue to receive recognition across the nation and around the world.
More than $100,000 in cash, trophies, and instrument prizes will be awarded to contestants earning the highest scores across the eight championship contests.
Early registration for the National Flat-Picking Championships closes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. Registration will reopen on the Festival Grounds at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Contest registrations will continue to be accepted until one hour before each scheduled contest.
Entry Fee: $20 for all instrument championships.
All contests will be held on Stage IV.
Contestants must have a valid wristband for the day of the contest in order to gain admittance to the Festival grounds.
International Autoharp Championship
1st Place
- Choice of Instruments
- Trophy
- $250 Cash
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Brendan White Jewelry – Custom Autoharp Pendant Necklace
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
2nd Place
- Remaining Instrument
- Trophy
- $200 Cash
3rd Place
- Trophy
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Whippoorwill Acoustics is proud to present a 15-bar Whippoorwill Model autoharp. Hand-crafted in Michigan, this autoharp is voiced for a balanced response from bass through treble and will sound good in any key. The setup will be customized to the winner’s satisfaction. This autoharp features French Polish finish, quarter-sawn solid woods, fine tuners and low, fast action.
Ken Ellis
111 N. Miller St., Paw Paw, MI 49079
260-249-5561
ken@whippoorwillacoustics.com
This autoharp has the special lighter weight design yet possesses the big beautiful sound customary to d’Aigle Autoharps. This autoharp includes walnut harvested in southern Oregon for the backs and sides, with a spruce top, Daigle’s patented Flat Line Fine Tuning System and a springless quick change chord bar system
Pete Daigle
19106 Des Moines Memorial Dr, Sea Tac, WA 98148
206-439-3549
International Finger Style Guitar Championship
1st Place
- Choice of Instruments
- Trophy
- $3,100.00 Cash by Walnut Valley Festival
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Appear on Stage I, Friday at 7:30pm
- Fishman Loudbox Artist Amplifier
- Solid Ground Stands Custom Guitar Stand
- Wichita Hat Works – One Custom Hat
- Fishman Matrix Infinity Pickup & Pre-Amp
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Guitar Necklace
- Paige Capos – One Paige Pro PP-6-ETI
2nd Place
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
- Trophy
- Paige Capo PP-6-Retro
- Appear on Stage I, Friday at 7:30pm
3rd Place
- Remaining Instrument
- Trophy
- One Paige ETI PC-6-ETI Capo
- Appear on Stage I, Friday at 7:30pm
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a Paige Capo and a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Jesse Smith
Wadsworth, Ohio
(330) 472-3937
jessmith50@frontier.com
Smith Winfield Model Guitar
The Smith 000 size guitar is carefully crafted using the finest quality tone woods. The back and sides are Indian Rosewood with curly Koa binding and an Adirondack Spruce top. The Custom Walnut Valley Festival Feisty on the headstock designates the recipient of this beautiful guitar as one of the 2026 winners.
Taylor Guitars
1980 Gillespie Way
El Cajon, CA 92020
(888) 2-TAYLOR {282-9567}
taylorguitars.com
Builder’s Edition 814ce
The 814ce has long been considered Taylor’s flagship acoustic-electric guitar thanks to its mix of lush tone, playing comfort and all-purpose musical appeal. Here, we’re thrilled to present the next evolution of this classic model: the Builder’s Edition 814ce. For this version, we’ve kept the solid Indian rosewood back and sides and paired them with a four-piece Adirondack spruce top, a combo that yields an enticing blend of low-end warmth, treble-range clarity and remarkable power, with our V-Class bracing inside to draw out more of the blooming overtones and rich sustain that players love. A handful of comfort-focused enhancements, such as a beveled armrest and cutaway and a subtle body taper, elevate the relaxed, accommodating feel of the Grand Auditorium body, while a striking full-body gloss finish and Kona burst for the back and sides raise this model’s visual profile. Whether you’re looking for an all-purpose musical workhorse or an heirloom-quality guitar to augment your collection, the Builder’s Edition 814ce makes a compelling case as the most quintessentially “Taylor” guitar we’ve ever built.
Peter Streit Guitars
7000 Gladwyne Ct.
Colleyville, TX 76034
(214) 632-0895
peterstreitguitars.com
Orchestra Model (OM)
The guitar is an OM with East Indian Rosewood back and sides, old growth Sitka spruce top,Honduras mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and herringbone rosette and purfling with blood wood trim. It’s has a Florentine cutaway, sound port, pinless ebony bridge, Waverly Tortoise button tuners, and joins the body at the 14th fret with a 25 1/4” scale length, 1 3/4” nut width and 2 1/4” string spacing. Nut and saddle polished bone. It’s a fingerstyle guitar in all aspects.
National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
1st Place
- Choice of Instruments
- Trophy
- $250 Cash
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Solid Ground Stands Heirloom Quality Custom Mountain Dulcimer Stand
- Dulcimer Player News – 1-year Subscription
- Wolf Hill Woodworking Custom Adjustable Performance Mountain Dulcimer Playing Stand
- Brendan White Jewelry – Custom Mountain Dulcimer Pendant Necklace
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
2nd Place
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
- Trophy
- $225 Cash
- Wolf Hill Woodworking Custom Adjustable
Performance Mountain Dulcimer Playing Stand - Dulcimer Player News – 1-year Subscription
3rd Place
- Remaining Instrument
- Trophy
- $200 Cash
- Wolf Hill Woodworking Custom Adjustable
Performance Mountain Dulcimer Playing Stand - Dulcimer Player News – 1-year Subscription
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
The Dulcimer Shoppe
P.O. Box 1230
1430 Sylamore Ave
Mountain View, AR 72560
870-269-4313
tim.dulcimershoppe@yelcot.net
mcspaddendulcimers.com
4FHMgMg-E Custom
Mountain Dulcimer
4-string Custom Mango with a standard VSL mountain dulcimer. Made with choice matched mango wood and includes inlays, purfling stripe on top and back, pickup and a hard shell case.
The Dulcimer Shoppe
P.O. Box 1230
1430 Sylamore Ave
Mountain View, AR 72560
870-269-4313
tim.dulcimershoppe@yelcot.net
mcspaddendulcimers.com
6FH WWB-E Baritone
Mountain Dulcimer
6-string hourglass shape baritone with walnut back and sides, ebony fretboard and black tuners.
The Dulcimer Shoppe
P.O. Box 1230
1430 Sylamore Ave
Mountain View, AR 72560
870-269-4313
tim.dulcimershoppe@yelcot.net
mcspaddendulcimers.com
FSGCC-E Scroll Head Cherry Ginger
Mountain Dulcimer
A Scroll Head Ginger mountain dulcimer with Cherry back and sides, ebony fretboard and black tuners.
National Mandolin Championship
1st Place
- Choice of Instruments
- Trophy
- $350 Cash in memory of Johnny & Louise Logsdon
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Fishman M-300 Mandolin Pick Up
- Solid Ground Stands Custom Mandolin Stand
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Custom Mandolin Pendant Necklace
2nd Place
- Remaining Instrument
- Trophy
- $1,500 Cash – Walnut Valley Festival
3rd Place
- Trophy
- $750 Cash – Walnut Valley Festival
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Bulas Mandolins
Poland
05-092 Łomianki
Moniuszki 4
Michal Bulas
michal@bulas.pl
bulas.pl
This beautiful mandolin, handcrafted in Poland by luthier Michał Bułas, will be one of the prize instruments awarded at this year’s National Mandolin Championship.
We’re excited to welcome Michał as one of our new festival luthiers this year. Thank you for your generosity and for providing such a beautifully crafted instrument for this year’s championship. We know it will be treasured by its new owner!
Collings Guitars
11210 W. Highway 290
Austin, TX 78737
(512) 288-7776
collingsguitars.com
This beautiful A-style mandolin will be one of the prize instruments awarded at this year’s National Mandolin Championship during the festival.
Crafted with an Italian spruce top, a one-piece birdseye maple back, and an ebony bridge, this stunning instrument combines exceptional craftsmanship with beautiful tone and striking visual appeal.
A heartfelt thank you to Collins for generously providing this outstanding mandolin as one of this year’s championship prize instruments. We know it will be cherished by its lucky recipient!
National Flat Pick Guitar Championship
1st Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Instruments
- $3,100 Cash in memory of Brian Redford
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Solid Ground Stands Heirloom Quality Custom Guitar Stand
- Wichita Hat Works Custom Fitted Hat by Hatman Jack
- Fishman Rare Earth Humbucking Soundhole Pickup
- Paige Capo
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Custom Guitar Pendant Necklace
- Appear on Stage I, Saturday at 6:15pm
2nd Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
- Paige Capo
- Appear on Stage I, Saturday at 6:15pm
3rd Place
- Trophy
- Remaining Instrument
- Paige Capo
- Appear on Stage I, Saturday at 6:15pm
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a Paige Capo and a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Collings Guitars
11210 W. Highway 290
Austin, TX 78737
(512) 288-7776
collingsguitars.com
Collings Winfield Model Guitar
A remake of the famous Collings Clarence White model, this Dreadnought has mahogany back and sides, Adirondack spruce top, custom neck and bridge, tortoise fingerboard binding, ebony headstock overlay with Collings custom “Wheat” inlay, large sound hole and CW (Dalmation) pickguard.
Martin & Co.
510 Sycamore St.
Nazareth, PA 18064
(610) 969-6999
martinguitar.com
Martin HD-28 Modern Deluxe Guitar
The D-28 Modern Deluxe is a new take on Martin Vintage. This guitar is packed with custom features and modern technology that you have to see, feel, and hear for your self. The vintage appointments include a spruce Vintage Tone System Top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction that give it the rich, fully aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. The look is unlike anything in our production line to date with European flamed maple binding, stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and a unique 1930s style script logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with red dots and a composit carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume. And we’ve included a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard.
P.K. Thompson Guitars
352 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 250
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 588-9211
pktguitars.com
P.k. Thompson D-MA Guitar
Crafted to produce the tone and volume that the dreadnought guitar was originally designed to achieve. The D-MA is based on a 1937 Herringbone Dreadnought originally owned by the late Charles Sawtelle. Made with Sinker Mahogany sides and back, Adirondack Spruce top, advanced X brace placement, hand graduated top thickness, pre-war hand carved scalloped braces, nitro-cellulose lacquer finishes and time-tested design features such as dovetail neck joints, embellished with a custom inlay and comes with a Harptone® case.
National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
1st Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Instruments
- $200 Cash
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – Hammer Dulcimer Performance Stand
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – Custom Bob Bedard Hammers
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Music Related Necklace
2nd Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
- $175 Cash
- Dulcimer Player News – 1-year Subscription
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – Hammer Dulcimer Performance Stand
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – 1 pr Custom Bob Bedard Hammers
2nd Place
- Trophy
- Remaining Instrument
- $150 Cash
- Dulcimer Player News – 1-year Subscription
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – Hammer Dulcimer Performance Stand
- Wolf Hill Woodworking – 1pr Custom Bob Bedard Hammers
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a custom pair of Bob Bedard hammers and a beautiful trophy, both commemorating their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
17/17 Professional Hammer Dulcimer
Instrument Features:
- 3½-octave chromatic range
- Highly figured walnut sides
- Ten-ply hard rock maple piano pin blocks
- Tuning pins on both sides for easy, accurate tuning
- Adirondack spruce soundboard
- Patented maple bridges, incorporating one of Rick Thum’s three patented bridge designs to provide controlled sustain and consistent volume across the entire instrument
- One-inch spacing between string courses for comfortable playability
Experienced players will appreciate the instrument’s quick attack, broad dynamic range, and rich, balanced voice. Equally suited for the stage, studio, or home, this beautiful dulcimer performs exceptionally well in any musical setting.
Handcrafted by Rick Thum especially for the 2026 Walnut Valley Festival, this one-of-a-kind instrument is a fitting prize for this year’s champion.
17/16/8 Finch Chromatic Hammer Dulcimer
This year’s prize dulcimer is the 17/16/8 Finch Chromatic, complete with a hard case, Hot Rod Pickups, preamp, and dampers.
The Walnut Finch Chromatic is our true workhorse and one of our most popular models. Known for its exceptional tone, versatility, and reliability, it is a favorite among players of all skill levels.
Equipped with a professional-quality pickup system and effective dampers, this instrument is equally at home on stage or in the studio. It’s a prize any champion will be proud to own.
16/15 Ultralight Chromatic Extended Range Hammer Dulcimer
This year’s prize dulcimer is a 16/15 Ultralight Chromatic Extended Range model. It features a brown-stained soundboard, walnut end rails, and curly maple pin blocks. The instrument is accented with Walnut Valley Festival custom inlays and includes a mahogany soundboard showcasing the festival design.
This beautiful handcrafted dulcimer combines exceptional craftsmanship, outstanding playability, and distinctive Walnut Valley Festival detailing, making it a truly special championship prize.
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
1st Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Prize Instruments
- $350.00 Cash in memory of Ed & Jeanine Foster
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Solid Ground Stands – Heirloom Quality Banjo Stand
- Fishman – Humbucking Banjo Pick up
- Paige Capo
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Music Related Necklace
2nd Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
- Paige Capo
3rd Place
- Trophy
- Remaining Instrument
- Paige Capo
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a Paige Capo and a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Deering Calico 5-String Banjo
Calico is made of a premium grade of American maple with that exquisite curl in the wood grain. Crafted with the ‘06 bell bronze tone ring and nickel finished hardware, Mother-of-Pearl inlays, and taper resonator side walls. The Calico is a powerful banjo with a distinctly bright, sparkling tone. The glued in frets give stability to the ebony fingerboard and allow the player an unparalleled note distinction. Whether you are a powerful bluegrass player or want to play in a delicate melodic style, the Calico will rise to the occasion to give you greater musicality for your efforts. Deering has added a matching engraved wood armrest saying “Winfield 2025” to let the world know you have been chosen as one of the best banjo players in the world of banjo.
Deering Rustic Wreath 5-String Banjo
The Rustic Wreath is a stunning and affordable walnut stained maple banjo that honors the heritage of the instrument, while taking on a sleek, minimalist feel. In keeping with the tradition of some of the world’s most popular banjos, the Rustic Wreath retains aesthetic features of its older siblings, notably the inlay pattern from the Golden Wreath, the traditional prewar peg head shape, and iconic flange hole pattern. A Deering 06 tone ring mounted to a 3-ply violin grade maple rim makes for a time tested tone loved by audiences around the world. Deering has added a matching engraved wood armrest saying “Winfield 2025” to let the world know you have been chosen as one of the best banjo players in the world of banjo.
Deering White Lotus 5-String Banjo
Innovation has long been a key ingredient for Deering’s pioneering spirit in the world of banjo manufacturing. The bluegrass inspired White Lotus banjo, named for its lotus flower inspired inlay pattern created by Greg Deering, is centered around the patented white oak rim that creates a magnificently bold tone without the traditionally heavy tone ring found in most bluegrass banjos of this tonal character. The result is a crisp bluegrass punch with good sustain and note distinction without the weight! This has banjo ushered in a new era of playing comfort and sound for all banjo players in the future. This will feature a matching engraved wood armrest saying “Winfield 2025” to let the world know you have been chosen as one of the best banjo players in the world of banjo.
Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
1st Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Prize Instruments
- $350 Cash in memory of Dean Bradbury
- Invited to perform in the 2026 Champion Showcase Concert
- Fishman Concert Violin Transducer Pick up
- Silver Pearl Designs – Silver Encased Festival Pick Pendant
- Brendan White Jewelry – Custom Fiddle Necklace
2nd Place
- Trophy
- Choice of Remaining Instruments
3rd Place
- Trophy
- Remaining Instrument
Finalists
Those who compete in the Final Round but do not place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive a beautiful commemorative trophy recognizing their achievement as a Top 5 Finalist.
Prize Instruments
Beautiful Music Violin Shop
925 Iowa Street, Suite I
Lawrence, KS
(785) 856-8755
beautifulmusicvnshop@gmail.com
beautifulmusicviolinshop.com
Ivan Bizof Violin
This handmade violin was made by Ivan Bizoff in Cremona Italy, 2024. This instrument has amber varnish, medium to tight uneven grained spruce top and lightly flamed back and sides. Comes with a certificate from the builder which includes description, measurements and photos. This prize package is completed with a Bobelock fiberglass case and a Reale ii braided carbon fiber bow
Beautiful Music Violin Shop
925 Iowa Street, Suite I
Lawrence, KS
(785) 856-8755
beautifulmusicvnshop@gmail.com
beautifulmusicviolinshop.com
Luca Zerilli Violin
This handmade violin was made by Luca Zerilli in Udine Italy, 2024. An attractive instrument with a spruce top and a mahogany back and sides, rarely seen on violins. The instrument has a reddish orange varnish. Comes with a certificate from the builder which includes description, measurements and photos.This prize package is completed with a Bobelock fiberglass case and a Reale ii braided carbon fiber bow
Beautiful Music Violin Shop
925 Iowa Street, Suite I
Lawrence, KS
(785) 856-8755
beautifulmusicvnshop@gmail.com
beautifulmusicviolinshop.com
5-String Sandro Luciano Violin
This 5-String violin is an Asian import from J&J Strings. It has an aged spruce top and a 2-piece highly flamed maple back. This prize package is completed with a Bobelock fiberglass case and a Reale ii braided carbon fiber bow.
