Fiddleville is now the Heritage Music Festival Weekend

July 30, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Michelle Janzen

Come out and celebrate the New Heritage Music Festival, formally know as the Canadian Open Fiddle Championship, being held August 3 to 7.

This long running event that Shelburne has become known for underwent some revamping this year to help create new traditions, including the name change.

As in the past, the Canadian Open Fiddle Championship Contest kicks off on Thursday, August 4, with The Next Generation Leahy performing.

This is a show that will be filled with high energy, infections Celtic-based music that people associate with the Leahy heritage.

On Friday, August 5, the Canadian Open Fiddle Championship playdowns will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with categories from under the age of 9 all the way up to over the age of 56, as well as a Novelty Class, Gospel Class, Duet Class, Jr. Championship Class and Championship Class.

Once the day has concluded, get ready for The Jim Cuddy Band, who is performing for the first time ever in Shelburne. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Immediately following this performance, local radio station County 105 will host a licenced after party, with one of their DJs spinning music for your dancing pleasure until midnight. This dance party is open to all after The Jim Cuddy Band’s performance, and doors to attend this portion of the evening’s line up will open at 10 p.m.

Returning to the stage in Shelburne on Saturday, August 6, to open the 66th Canadian Open Fiddle Championship Finals, are four former Fiddle Champions who are uniting after 10 years to perform once again as “McLeod.”

Led by former Canadian Open Fiddle Champion Scott Woods of Fergus, the group was formed in 1998 initially to entertain at a Robbie Burns celebration. These four Champions – Scott Woods, along with Shane Cook, Matthew Johnston and James Bickle – have played traditional jigs and reels, strathspeys and airs in unison, in the style of the famous Cape Breton Symphony that graced the stage in Shelburne many times over the years.

It is a rare opportunity to see the magic that happens when four of the most talented fiddlers come together in Shelburne!

Make sure to look for these past champions when the make their way through Shelburne on the Rotary’s float in the parade.

As always, there are a ton of other exciting events taking place throughout Shelburne during the Heritage Music Festival.

On Thursday evening, there is the Farmers’ Market located on First Street. On Friday, the Eastern Starr’s hold their Annual Roast Beef Dinner located at the Agricultural Building.

On Saturday, you will find an open air market in the downtown core put on by the BIA from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a variety of vendors. At 1 p.m., don’t miss the best parade ever, hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Shelburne.

There is no entry fee to be in the parade and there are several prizes to be won by all who participate.

The Parade assembles at the Natasha Peterson Memorial Park and will follow the same route as in previous years.

Registration forms can be obtained from Holmes Appliances and Music Shop located at 135 Main Street West or by emailing shfparade@google.com.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, the Heritage Music Festival Church Service commences, featuring The Torchmen, Scott Woods, Shelburne Fiddlers and The Jamboree Band.

This service is not a sermon, rather it is a music program lead by Reverend Gord Horsley.

Following the service, the Shelburne Agricultural Society will be holding their Annual Pork Chop BBQ at the fairgrounds located at 377 William Street.

All weekend long, the Royal Canadian Legion, Shelburne Branch 220 host a variety of activities such as breakfasts, BBQs and dinners on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 midnight, then on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

As always, the Legion has brought in a great line up of entertainment. On Friday night from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., the Dufferin County Line Band will be in the Warriors Hall as well as an Old Time Jamboree being held in the Museum Room.

On Saturday afternoon, sit on the patio and listen to Cindy Lou perform and, after the parade, the bag pipers will be playing here. On Saturday night, the Campfire Poets will be taking the stage from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.

There is no cover charge for any Legion activities.

For anyone from out of town wanting to stay in Shelburne, the Kinsmen and Lion’s Clubs of Shelburne offer camping at Fiddlepark which is located at 515677 County Road 11 (behind No Frills). Those staying at the park can enjoy some food from the Kinette’s Kitchen as it will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information on events taking place and ticket purchases go to heritagemusicfestival.com.