HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Third Annual WV State Harmonica Championship, sponsored by Picnic with the Pops, will be on July 25 at 2 p.m. It is part of The 5th Annual Hotdog Festival.

The event takes place near Pullman Square in downtown Huntington. First place prize is $200, second place is $100, and third place is $50. The registration fee is a $10 donation to the Cabell Huntington Hospital Children’s Oncology unit.

The W.Va. Championship is hosted by The Harmonica Club from Huntington, WV. The group was founded in 2001.

The W.Va. Championship will begin with The Harmonica Club leading all the contestants in a group jam. This will let the contestants get a feel for the stage and microphones as well as getting everyone warmed up and ready to go.

There will be both traditional and blues tunes played in the jam.

After the group jam, each contestant will have five minutes to perform two tunes. For more championship details go to www.theharmonicaclub.com or email jrumbaug@marshall.edu.

After the event, the Huntington Symphonic Orchestra will host Picnic with the Pops at Harris Riverfront Park. Gates open at 5 p.m with the main show starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. Members of The Harmonica Club will also be there, to perform some preshow tunes.

It meets weekly on Tuesday night from 7-9 at a local coffee shop called The Java Joint located on the corner of Third Avenue and 16th Street.

The members of club want harmonica players of all ages and all levels of playing to come and compete. Last year 14 players participated.

The club’s hope is to meet, share, and bring together all the harmonica players in the region.

You can read more about The Harmonica Club and the event at www.theharmonicaclub.com.

You can even listen to last year’s competition at the same web site.