ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Guitarists across the region are invited to take center stage at Ohio Valley’s Best Guitarist 2026, an exciting live competition celebrating skill, creativity and performance.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 30 at the Performance Room inside CA House Music in St. Clairsville.

Designed to spotlight emerging and established talent, the competition will feature a multi-round format that challenges players across several dimensions of musicianship.

The event begins with Round 1: Qualifiers, where contestants will perform 2-3 minute sets judged on technique, creativity and stage presence. The top eight performers will advance to the Semi-Finals, where they will compete using a provided backing track. From there, the top three finalists will move on to the Final Round: Showdown, performing their best piece for the title, with the option to use their own backing track.

In addition to the judged rounds, attendees will have a voice in the outcome through a Crowd Favorite award, allowing the audience to help select an additional winner.

The grand prize for the competition is a PRS CE24 Fire Red Burst electric guitar, along with multiple additional prizes to be announced. Organizers emphasize that every contestant will walk away with something, reinforcing the event’s commitment to supporting musicians at all levels.

“This event is about more than just competition, it’s about bringing the music community together and giving guitarists a platform to shine,” said Matthew Ceo, representative of CA House Music.

The event will also be live streamed and promoted across social media platforms, expanding exposure for participants beyond the venue.

Spots are limited, and interested participants are encouraged to register. Sign-up sheets are available at CA House Music’s St. Clairsville location or by calling 740-695-5929.

Music fans are encouraged to attend, support local talent and enjoy a high-energy day of live performances.