Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship

Several of the top fiddlers in Ontario have won the contest, including Pierre Schryer, Louis Schryer, Graham Townsend, Eleanor Townsend, Frank Leahy, Julie Fitzgerald, Shane Cook, and Scott Woods.

[2] It came at a time when fiddle music was popular on the radio and the number of fiddlers in Ontario began to increase.

The committee also advertised through various newspapers and radio stations across the region, and had fiddlers spread the word of the contest.

[5] The first contest happened on August 11, 1951, aligning with an open slot in the CBC's broadcasting schedule.

[3] Held in the Shelbourne Arena, it had the initial competition round on Friday, with the finals on Saturday.

[4] They had 44 contestants in total, including local fiddlers Lome Donaldson, Charlie Dyer, Annie Webster, and Albert Mews.

"[6][3] The event became a massive success and brought thousands of visitors to the small town, with roughly 10,000 people in attendance between the players, organizers, volunteers, and audience.

Over the years, the festival added a country jamboree, jam sessions, square dancing, concerts, step dancing, a parade, a Fiddle Queen pageant, street fairs, dinners, a BBQ and market, and a church service.

[9] The contestants were recorded as they played, allowing the judges to listen again to their performances and decided together the top players.

[2] The name of the event changed over the years, from the "Canadian Open Championship Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest," to "The National Fiddle Contest," and more recent returning to a version of the original as the "Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship.

[1] Another major issue impacting the survival of the festival came in 2020, with the cancellation of the contest due to the pandemic.

[17] Judges award points based on time and tempo, tone, style and technique, and overall accuracy.