Contest Contacts - Rules and Regulations

• New!  Contestant Entry Form
• Contest Information - 705-738-9171
• Correspondence - Ontario Open, Box 119, Bobcaygeon, Ont. K0M 1A0
• Camping Information - M. Brown 705-793-2466
• Accommodations - Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce 705-738-2202
• Master of Ceremonies - Greg Williams
• Judges- Fiddle - Doug McNaughton, Brian Hebert   Step - Kelli Trottier, Pamela Hebert-Dickerson
• House fiddler - Kyle Felhaver
• Accompanist - Melika Lemelin
• Sound system - Roy Craft - Custom Sound
• Arena food services -  M.O.M.'s Mobile Kitchen
• Photographer - Ray Foster

General Rules

• Contestants must be ready to perform when called. They alone are responsible for not missing their turn.
• No contestant having won first prize in any class for three consecutive years will be eligible to compete in that or any lower class in the fourth year
• Scheduling of all competitions and playdowns is dependent on the number of entries in each class. In the event of a tie a 4th and 5th prize will be added to the appropriate class.
• Judges decisions are final, and they will not be required to explain standing.
• Contestant wishing to receive marks mailed, please ask at Registration Desk.
• Contestants must show proof of age upon request.
• Deadline for registration is 2 hours before class.
• Once a class has started no further registrations will be accepted for that class.
• In the event of a tie, the contestants involved will be asked to perform again to break the tie.
• In the event of an error by accompanist to throw the contestant off time, or any accident beyond the control of the contestant, he/she will be given a chance to repeat the routine.
• The Ontario Open Fiddle and Step Dance Contest reserves the right to Video Tape and offer for sale any portion or all of the contest or program.
• Dress and appearance will be considered.
• Contestants will play in reverse order of registration
  

Fiddle Contest Rules

• Contestants in all classes except 8 and under are required to play a WALTZ, a JIG and a REEL (or breakdown) in that order or they will not be judged.

• NEW CLAUSE:  If there are more than twelve contestants in the 12 and under or the 18 and under the Committee may ask that the contestants play a WALTZ, and EITHER a JIG or REEL for the preliminaries.  Finalists will be required to play ALL THREE.

• Contestants in the 8 and under class are required to play only one of a WALTZ, a JIG or a REEL.
• Only one instrument may accompany, and it may NOT play the melody.
• A tuned piano is on stage and an appointed accompanist will be available for those without their own.
• Contestants may only compete in one class - their own age group, or the open. Exceptions: Duet Class & Gospel Fiddle.
• Points will be awarded on the basis of: Timing, Versatility and Level of Difficulty over a 3 minute period of judged performance. Tunes must be accepted Olde Tyme type.
• In the Open Class, if a contestant goes on to the playdowns, three different tunes must be played from those played in the preliminaries.
• DUET CLASS: Open to all contestants. Any combination of two fiddlers, no age limit. Must play in harmony, a Waltz, a Jig and Tune of choice in that order. Top Three will play again Saturday night. Scores from both performances will be combined to determine the final placing.
• GOSPEL CLASS: Duet or Trio must play two Gospel Tunes in harmony.  Gospel Class will be judged in their entirety Saturday Night.

Step Dance Contest Rules

• Contestants in the OPEN CLASS, 18 AND UNDER, must dance a Clog, Jig and Reel in that order without stopping.

• NEW CLAUSE:  If there are more than 12 contestants in the 18 and under the committee may ask that the contestants only perform a REEL.  The finalists will be required to perform a CLOG, JIG and REEL in that order.

• Contestants in the 8 AND UNDER, 12 and under, 19 - 49 and 50 AND OVER must perform a Reel only.
  Those wishing to dance a full routine should enter one of the other classes where this is permitted.
• Contestants may employ their own accompaniment or use those provided by the contest (fiddle and piano).
• Contestants may not give any signal to their to their accompanist during performance, signifying a request to change to a Jig or Reel. In such event, points will be deducted.
• Contestants may enter only one class. Exception: Group Class
• Points will be awarded on basis of: Step Quantity and Quality, as well as step timing and style over a 3 minute period of judged performance.
• Group Classes: To be in groups of 2 to 6, over a 4 minute period of judged performance, with additional judging criteria of choreography, accuracy and precision of execution.
• A person may dance in one Group or Group class only. Groups may dance in one class only.
• Top 3 in the Open Group Class will perform Saturday Night. Scores for both performances will be combined to determine final placing.
• Junior Groups will be judged in their entirety on Saturday night.
• Average age of Junior Group must be twelve or under.

Entry Information

• FEE: An entry fee of $5.00 per class if pre-registered; An entry fee of $7.00 if registering at contest. Open Group Class and Duet Class contestants pay $2.00 per competitor. No entry fee for contestants 12 years and under.
• CONTESTANT PASSES: Non-transferable contestants passes will be mailed out when entry form fees are received.
• WARM UP ROOM: A tuned piano will be located in a suitable designated area at the contest.

FIDDLE PRIZE MONEY

STEP DANCE PRIZE MONEY

Telephone 705-738-9171

Postal address Ontario Open, Box 119, Bobcaygeon, Ont. K0M 1A0

Electronic mail:   fiddlestepcontest@hotmail.com

Send mail to belliott@easyfocus.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 Bobcaygeon - Ontario Open Fiddle and Step Dance Contest
Last modified: July 29, 2010 Website maintained by: Orangeville Fiddle and Step Dance Camp