Five things you need to know about the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax — or just “Fiddlers,” for short — which starts today and runs through the wee hours of Sunday morning . . . or until the last banjo string breaks.

Sure, this music festival is all about who can sing, dance and play all manner of stringed instruments the best. But anyone who’s been to Galax — which, by the way, was thought up generations before the Crooked Road was even a gleam in the governor’s eye — knows that the real action isn’t up on stage. It’s in the camping area jam sessions, which go on all day and all night.

So be sure to meander around in full listening mode, buy a few CDs (or snacks or instruments), maybe even join in on a tune or two.

Onstage, the competitions are anchored on a different theme each night, starting with Youth Night tonight. Tuesday night’s contest: old-time fiddle, dobro and mandolin. Wednesday night: bluegrass fiddle, dulcimer and bluegrass banjo. Thursday night: clawhammer banjo, autoharp and guitar. Friday night: old-time band and bluegrass band. Saturday afternoon: folk song and flatfoot dance. Saturday night: bluegrass band and old-time band.

The numbers: This is Fiddler’s 70th year. Organizers did miss a year once, owing to travel restrictions during World War II, but the fiddler’s convention was held twice in 1935, making this truly the 70th convention. A furniture town of 8,000 residents, Galax will host more than 40,000 old-time and bluegrass fans at Felts Park before this week is out, with upward of 10,000 people Friday and Saturday nights.

Proceeds benefit Galax charities; $10,000 went to the Galax Volunteer Fire Department last year. Cost is $5 Monday-Thursday, $8 Friday and $10 Saturday. (No advance sales; all tickets sold at the gate.)

The rule on logistics is: Snooze, you lose. If you were planning to spend the night in Galax or the surrounding areas and haven’t yet made your hotel reservations, it’s too late; they’re gone. “The camping spaces will be filled up by Monday night,” said Ed Carico, administrator for Moose Lodge No. 733, which operates the convention.

The camping is first come, first served. The gates opened at 7 a.m. Sunday, so if you have a favorite spot, you shoulda gotten it by now) .

“If it’s a motel you need, you might-could find a spot still in Wytheville or possibly Mount Airy,” N.C., he added. (For an extensive list of motels and camping spots, see the Web site at www.oldfiddlersconvention.com.)

Though most acts hail from Virginia, people come to Galax from all over the world, including several acts from Japan. (And everyone agrees: You’d be surprised at the number of old-timey tunes they know.)

This is Galax — not Woodstock, not FloydFest. So don’t go thinkin’ this is some kind of hippie free-for-all. “We had to set our foot down and crack down on the undesirables,” Carico said.

This means no drinking in public, a law that will be enforced to the letter, including by some undercover cops. “If you want to get picked up, just try walking through there with a beer bottle in your hand,” Carico said.

“It was looser in the old days, but now we’ve got it so you can bring your children down there and not worry a bit.”

Anything else you need to know (other than it’s a foot-stompin’ good time)? Call (276) 236-8541 or visit www.oldfiddlersconvention.com.