A new name has been crowned as Canada’s top fiddler.
Tom Fitzgerald of Bancroft, Ontario, took first place in the open category during the 62nd Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship in Shelburne over Saturday and Sunday.
This is Fitzgerald’s first win — but not the first for his family.
His sister, Julie Fitzgerald, was crowned champion in 2010, and took second this year.
Julie, Tom, and their sister Kerry Fitzgerald also took first in the gospel category.
This year’s championship attracted 70 contestants from across Canada, and 15-hundred spectators.
The youngest competitor was five year old Gibson Lemelin, and the oldest was 82 year old Scotty McHardy.
Six year old Paul Jacob Lemelin was awarded as the Most Entertaining Fiddler.
Local winners include:
-Devan Ballagh of Teeswater, 3rd place in the 19-55 age category
-Amanda MacInnis of Dundalk, 2nd place in the Junior 10-12 category
-Maria Black of Markdale, 5th place in the Junior 10-12 category
