The history of Fiddleville: Why fiddles? Do you know?

August 1, 2013 · 0 Comments

As Shelburne’s excitement begins to reach dizzying heights over the 63rd Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship which will commence August 7, this reporter took to the streets trying to discover the “W5” version of Fiddleville, acknowledging the festival’s nationwide critically acclaimed fame.

So how did Fiddleville originate in Shelburne? Do you know? It was not the result of fiddle playing immigrants arriving in 1951. It wasn’t a bunch of board fiddlers trying to bring attention to Shelburne, and it wasn’t due to a piano shortage that Fiddle’s became the instrument of choice. With rumors dispelled, truth remains.

According to a Rotary Club’s book, A Celebration of 50 Years of the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship, available at the Dufferin County Museum, Fiddleville began in 1950 as an idea. Cliff McIntosh, a Shelburne Royal Bank Manager and Rotarian who had attended a Fiddle event in Western Canada, decided Shelburne could use the event idea to raise money for charity. McIntosh presented his idea to Fred Claridge, Shelburne’s newspaper publisher and Mulmur’s, Don Fairburn. At the same time, the Rotary club, who had already been involved in many successful community fund raising events, had been looking for a new project to sink their teeth into, and when the two ideas finally met, it was magic in the making and the First Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers Contest was born. With the hard work of Shelburne Rotarians, the CBC, and local residents, 1951 would mark a special year in Shelburne’s history. Sixty three years later, anyone who is anyone in the world of fiddling can be found in Shelburne Ontario in August as Fiddleville kicks off yet another successful competition and festival.

Although the 1951 endeavour sounds easily accomplished, it required a lot of gumption and determination as organizers weren’t certain competitors would even attend, after all, fiddlers were not in short supply and they could always listen for free, but the idea of raising money for a good cause while competing was entirely enticing. Competitors paid a two dollar entry fee, with the proceeds going to the Ontario Society for Crippled Children. Admission for the public was seventy five cents for adults and thirty five cents for children and those fees went to the cost of the event.

In the end, approximately 3000 people were in attendance to hear the last 8 finalists and the weekend exceeded all expectations being an over the top sensation exposing and featuring a big secret: Shelburne showcased talent unparalleled!

We’ve all heard the expression ‘good things come in small packages’ and it especially applies to Shelburne. Once again, location, location, location, makes Shelburne the perfectly accessible destination for yet another successful Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Competition!

And now you know how it all began with one man’s idea for a good cause and how the good people of Shelburne made it all possible!

By Alex Sher