Bust out the fiddle and rosin up the bow for the return of the Battle of the Bows Cajun Fiddle Competition.

The 6th annual Battle of the Bows takes the stage 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Strand Theatre, 432 N. Main Street, Jennings. Doors open at 8 a.m.

“Battles of the Bows is a Cajun fiddle competition aimed at preserving our Cajun music and culture,” Doug Dugas of the Southwest Louisiana Acoustic Cajun Music Jam said. “It is very important for us to preserve our Cajun heritage because our youth need to learn what our culture is about so that they can continue to educate their children and grandchildren.”

This year’s event is dedicated in memory of noted Cajun fiddle player Purvis L. Clement of Evangeline. who died in 2004.

The competition is open to Cajun-style fiddle players of all ages and performance levels, Dugas said.

Categories are youth (age 12 and under), junior (ages 13-18), adult (age 19 and older), senior (age 60 and older) and professional (all ages). This is the first time the completion has had a senior division, Dugas said.

A twin fiddling category will also be held for all interested contestants.The competition is free to enter, but contestants are encouraged to register by Nov. 2. Registration is available online under events at www.jeffdavis.org.

Late registration will be available at 8 a.m. at the Strand Theatre the day of the competition.

More than two dozen amateur and professional fiddlers from across the region are expected to showcase their talents during this year’s competition, Dugas said.A panel of judges from the Cajun music industry will judge the competition based on the contestant’s Cajun music knowledge and accuracy of noting and intonation, along with other techniques involved in playing the fiddle Cajun style.

Contestants will play a Cajun waltz and a Cajun two-step.

The contestants will compete for $4,600 in cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights as one of the best Cajun fiddlers. Two fiddles and two $100 gift certificates will also be given away in a drawing for all the contestants.Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for ages 13-20 and senior citizens age 65 and up.Advance tickets are available until Nov. 4 at the Gator Chateau at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park in Jennings and the W.H. Tupper Museum, 311 N. Main Street, Jennings. Limited tickets will also be available at the door the day of the competition.