the return of our Step & Fiddle COMPETITION
After a long-awaited hiatus, the beloved Step & Fiddle Competition is making its triumphant return to the 2026 Western Fair — and we couldn’t be more thrilled! This high-energy showcase of lightning-fast footwork and toe-tapping fiddle tunes has been a crowd favourite for years, and its comeback promises to be bigger, bolder, and more spirited than ever. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a first-time spectator, get ready for an unforgettable celebration of tradition and talent. Dust off your dancing shoes, tune those strings, and join us September 20th as we bring back the heartbeat of the Fair!
Join us for a Judges Showcase after the competition, where the days’ judges will entertain and all competitors can hop back on stage for a final number to cap off the event!
ENTRY FEE: $10 per section
IMPORTANT DATES:
All competitions will be held on Sunday, September 20th
below are the competition times
Entry Form Closing Date:
Friday, September 11
Sign ups available in person on the day of the competition.
(Last entry received is the first to dance or play in each class)
Competition will begin at 12:00 pm—Classes will alternate between Step and Fiddle.
A Few Things to Remember:
All competitors will receive one (1) pass to the Western Fair for the day of the competition. A list of names will be left with gate staff.
All entries must be made on the Form Online. If entries in any section are not sufficient to ensure competition, the committee reserves the right to cancel any section or incorporate it with another suitable section.
A contestant may enter both fiddling and step dancing competitions, but may enter in one section only in each class with the exception of Group Step Dancing and Duet Fiddling
When age is a condition of entry it will be calculated as of September 1, 2026.
The above judging schedule is tentative and subject to change depending on entries received.
It’s always best to have chord charts ready to provide to the accompanist.
STEP DANCING
1. INDIVIDUAL STEP DANCERS -
8 years of age and under.
One dance only.
1st $50 | 2nd $40 | 3rd $30 | 4th $20 | 5th $10
2. INDIVIDUAL STEP DANCERS - 12 years of age and under. Reel only.
1st $60 | 2nd $50 | 3rd $40 | 4th $30
3. JUNIOR GROUP DANCE - 12 years old & under. One (1) of either CLOG, JIG, or REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
4. INDIVIDUAL STEP - 18 years and under. One (1) EACH of a CLOG, JIG, and REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
5. INDIVIDUAL STEP - 19 - 39 years of age. One (1) of either CLOG, JIG, or REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
6. INDIVIDUAL STEP DANCERS - 40 years of age and over. Dance one number
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
7. INDIVIDUAL STEP DANCERS - Open Class. One (1) EACH of a CLOG, JIG, and REEL.
1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100
8. SENIOR GROUP DANCE - Open to dancing groups with three or more members. A group may perform any type of dance that is recognized as a group number. There will be a five-minute time limit for each group.
1st $150 | 2nd $100 | 3rd $60
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Step Dancing
Scoring will be based on the following criteria: Timing, Precision of Footwork, Quality & Variety of Steps, Showmanship & Personality.
The Western Fair Association will provide an experienced violin/piano duo. All contestants must dance to live music. A panel of two experienced judges will be provided. In all cases, the judges' decision is final.
When making an entry in the Group Dance sections, the number of persons in the group and the name of the dance must be recorded on the entry form. To determine in which age category a group must compete, divide the total ages by the number of dancers in the group. (Average ages of 11.2 or 11.9 for example are considered 11 years of age and under.)
Any prize money that may be awarded to a group will be paid to the person who makes the entry.
OLD TYME FIDDLING
Scoring for this competition will be on a points basis as follows:
Time 25
Tone 25
Intonation 25
Overall Accuracy 25
Total 100
1. JUNIOR CLASS
8 years of age and under. To play one tune only, either a waltz, jig, or reel.
1st $50 | 2nd $40 | 3rd $30
2. JUNIOR CLASS
12 years of age and under. One (1) of either WALTZ, JIG, or REEL.
1st $60 | 2nd $50 | 3rd $40
3. Novice Fiddle
10-15 years of age. Must play a WALTZ and one (1) of a JIG or REEL (or breakdown)
1st $60 | 2nd $50 | 3rd $40
4. INTERMEDIATE CLASS
18 and under. One (1) each of WALTZ, JIG, and REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
5. 19-44 years of age
One (1) each of WALTZ, JIG, and REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
6. 45 and over
One (1) each of WALTZ, JIG, and REEL.
1st $100 | 2nd $75 | 3rd $50
7.OPEN CLASS
One (1) each of WALTZ, JIG, and REEL.
1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100
8.DUET FIDDLING
1st $150 | 2nd $100 |3rd $60
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All fiddlers, professional or amateur, are eligible to compete. Each contestant will be judged solely on their performance at the Western Fair.
There will be a time limit of four minutes for each contestant.
Solo contestants must play a Waltz, a Jig, and a Reel, in that order. Duet class must play a Waltz plus a tune of their choice & must play in harmony. Contestants will be disqualified for failure to comply with this rule.
The contestant may move the microphone if they desire.
Contestants must play Old Time Canadian Style tunes.
The Western Fair Association will provide a piano and a stand-by pianist for those who do not have their own accompanist. It's always best for fiddlers to have chord charts/sheet music with chords ready to provide to the accompanist.
In the event a contestant has problems with their instrument (i.e. broken string etc.) a re-play will be allowed.
The Western Fair Association will provide a panel of judges who will consider the following in making their decision. Tempo (must be suitable for old time dancing), Tone, Style, Technique and Accuracy.
In all cases the judges' decision is final.