FIDDLE FEST REGISTRATION FORM (GOOGLE FORMS)
JACK FERGUSON MEMORIAL FIDDLE FESTCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: Susan Parker, Libby Coady
ENTRY FORMS can be mailed to: Box 773, Pictou, NS, B0K 1H0 or completed on Google Docs
The Fiddle Fest Competition will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, September 12th, 2026 in the Outside Tent. Rules and regulations are as follows:
1. All competitors are required to play traditional fiddle music.
2. All entrants are asked to arrive at 11am and report to the tent to obtain position for judging.
3. Time limit - not more than four minutes. However, a player may use less time if desired.
4. In the case of accident beyond a player's control (e.g. broken string), they may replay.
5. An accompanist will be provided. However, the player may bring their own accompanist, any one instrument, who may play melody or chord. A keyboard will be available. Please send tune list / sheet music if not using in-house accompanist with registration.
6. In the event of a tie, the committee will judge one with the highest point on the "reel".
7. Competition categories and tune requirements:
a) Beginner Junior (12& under) are required to play one song of choice (either waltz, jig, or reel/hoedown)
b) Junior Contestants (9 & under and 10-12) shall play a waltz (3/4 time) and a reel or hoedown (2/4 time).
c) Beginner Intermediate (age 13 & over) shall play any two tunes of their choosing (two songs picked from a waltz, jig, or a reel/hoedown, but not two of the same)
d) 18 & under, 19-59, 60 & over, the open class and the group; must play a Waltz (3/4 time), a jig (6/8 time) and a Reel or Hoedown (2/4 time) and in the given order.
e) Tune Playoff Class: This class is for bragging rights! Using an older format of competition, tune titles will be held up on signs for fiddlers and the audience to view and fiddlers will play as a group. When a fiddler does not know the tune, they will be eliminated. The last fiddler remaining will be declared the winner. Notes: This class is excluded from the Oldest Fiddler Trophy. The Judge & instructors may compete in this class. Tunes will be selected randomly from signs prepared prior to the competition. When entering this class, please provide a few of your favorite tunes. ALL Fiddlers are encouraged to participate!
f) Group Class: A group is defined as minimum of three (3) fiddlers. Each participant must play a fiddle. Each group may have one accompanist, no recorded music. Tunes – waltz and old time tune of their choice, in that order. Time limit: 4 minutes.
8. Prize payouts as follows:
9 & under, 10 – 12, 18 & under: 1st $25 +Trophy, 2nd $20 + Trophy, 3rd $15 +Trophy
19-59, 60 & over: 1st $40 +Trophy, 2nd $30, 3rd $20
Open: 1st $60, 2nd $40, 3rd $30 Group Class 1st $125, 2nd $75, 3rd $50
*Beginner Junior – 1st $25, 2nd $20, 3rd, $15 *Beginner Intermediate - $1st $25, 2nd $20, 3rd $15
Tune Playoff Class – Award
Youngest Fiddler – Trophy
Oldest Fiddler – Trophy
Top Fiddler – Trophy
ENTRY FORMS can be mailed to: Box 773, Pictou, NS, B0K 1H0 or completed on Google Docs
The Fiddle Fest Competition will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, September 12th, 2026 in the Outside Tent. Rules and regulations are as follows:
1. All competitors are required to play traditional fiddle music.
2. All entrants are asked to arrive at 11am and report to the tent to obtain position for judging.
3. Time limit - not more than four minutes. However, a player may use less time if desired.
4. In the case of accident beyond a player's control (e.g. broken string), they may replay.
5. An accompanist will be provided. However, the player may bring their own accompanist, any one instrument, who may play melody or chord. A keyboard will be available. Please send tune list / sheet music if not using in-house accompanist with registration.
6. In the event of a tie, the committee will judge one with the highest point on the "reel".
7. Competition categories and tune requirements:
a) Beginner Junior (12& under) are required to play one song of choice (either waltz, jig, or reel/hoedown)
b) Junior Contestants (9 & under and 10-12) shall play a waltz (3/4 time) and a reel or hoedown (2/4 time).
c) Beginner Intermediate (age 13 & over) shall play any two tunes of their choosing (two songs picked from a waltz, jig, or a reel/hoedown, but not two of the same)
d) 18 & under, 19-59, 60 & over, the open class and the group; must play a Waltz (3/4 time), a jig (6/8 time) and a Reel or Hoedown (2/4 time) and in the given order.
e) Tune Playoff Class: This class is for bragging rights! Using an older format of competition, tune titles will be held up on signs for fiddlers and the audience to view and fiddlers will play as a group. When a fiddler does not know the tune, they will be eliminated. The last fiddler remaining will be declared the winner. Notes: This class is excluded from the Oldest Fiddler Trophy. The Judge & instructors may compete in this class. Tunes will be selected randomly from signs prepared prior to the competition. When entering this class, please provide a few of your favorite tunes. ALL Fiddlers are encouraged to participate!
f) Group Class: A group is defined as minimum of three (3) fiddlers. Each participant must play a fiddle. Each group may have one accompanist, no recorded music. Tunes – waltz and old time tune of their choice, in that order. Time limit: 4 minutes.
8. Prize payouts as follows:
9 & under, 10 – 12, 18 & under: 1st $25 +Trophy, 2nd $20 + Trophy, 3rd $15 +Trophy
19-59, 60 & over: 1st $40 +Trophy, 2nd $30, 3rd $20
Open: 1st $60, 2nd $40, 3rd $30 Group Class 1st $125, 2nd $75, 3rd $50
*Beginner Junior – 1st $25, 2nd $20, 3rd, $15 *Beginner Intermediate - $1st $25, 2nd $20, 3rd $15
Tune Playoff Class – Award
Youngest Fiddler – Trophy
Oldest Fiddler – Trophy
Top Fiddler – Trophy