Thank You to our 2010 Sponsors;
Manitoba Lotteries (volunteers) CKMW, CFRY, Valley Leader, D.A.S., Access Credit Union, Carman Co-op, Wes’s Tire, Janzen’s Pontiac, All Natural Meats,
Travel Hut, Vanderveen Greenhouses, Chicken Chef, Smith Neufeld Jodin LLP, McCains, Town of Carman, R.M. of Dufferin, Bill Stevenson (web site) Lee’s
Construction, Armstrong Feeders, Carman Vision, Shurway Builders, Doyles Funeral Home, McCulloch Law Office, Kehler Farms, Buddy’s Drive Inn, Syl’s Drive Inn, CIBC, Royal Bank.
August 12, 2010
List of Competition Winners for 2010
Junior Competition:
1st Place - Sylvie Reimer
2nd Place - Stephanie Reimer
3rd Place - Meghan Mowatt
Consolation Winners;
Mathieu Reimer
Elyse Loewen
Nanau Loewen
Intermediate Competition:
1st Place - Randall Weslak
2nd Place - Jane Cory
3rd Place - Kaitlyn Obedzinski
Open Class:
1st Place - Tom Fitzgerald
2nd Place - Alex Lamoreux
3rd Place - Julie Fitzgerald
4th Place - Kerry Fitzgerald
Senior Class
1st Place - Mel Bruce
2nd Place - Norman Cheyne
March 24, 2010
Please click HERE to view a list of our 2009 Sponsors.
February 12, 2010
Dates announced for the 2010 Carman Fiddle Festival - July 30th, 31st and August 1st.
August 15, 2009
Fiddle Festival's 24th year
By Gene Still
The annual Carman Fiddle Festival wrapped up for another year. And organizers Irene & Larry Stevenson said their first time as the main organizers of the recent festival went well.
“Overall it was a good weekend,” Irene Stevenson said about the August 7-9 festival.
The Carman couple agreed to take over the fiddle festival from its founder Winston Simpson who had announced his retirement following last year’s event. He planned to attend this year’s festival, the 24th, as a fiddle fan but his sudden passing on July 1 left the couple with mixed feelings about their first fiddle fest.
“It felt like there was a real vacancy there, something missing,” Irene said. “But I’m sure he’s glad that we’re going to try and keep it going.”
A highlight of the festival included the open fiddle competition with a $1,000 first prize, second place received $750, third $500, fourth spot netted $250 and fifth place winner received a $100.
And the top five finishers were as follows: First - Melanie Oslash; Second - Michael Audette; Third - Emilu Chartier; Fourth - Evan Citulslny; Fifth - Randall Weslak.
Meanwhile Stevenson said there was a time conflict with a major fiddle festival in Saskatoon. And along with other events, the fiddle fest organizing committee will be looking at perhaps changing what weekend they have the event in 2010.
“There’s a lot going on that weekend,” Irene said. “We’ll be looking at some changes like maybe having it on a different weekend and adding more categories for the fiddling contest.”
And while this was the first time the festival was held without Simpson, something that hasn’t changed was help from volunteers.
“I can’t say enough about our volunteers,” Irene said. “The volunteers came out of the woodwork to help out.”
July 10, 2009
In Memory;
WINSTON JOHN SIMPSON
Feb. 26, 1930 – July 1, 2009
It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Winston Simpson on July 1, 2009 at the age of 79 years, in the Health Science Center, Winnipeg, from injuriessustained in an accidental 9’ fall.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary; children, Colleen, Becky, Robin, Marilyn; grandchildren, Kellie, Keriann, Arlene, Darren, Wyatt, Joey,Christina; and brother, Lorne (Elsie) Wpg. He is predeased by his Mother Georigna, Father George, brother Boyd (Miami) and sister Gilda (Don MacEwen) Altamont. Winston was born in Miami, MB and raised on the family farm in Deerwood, MB. After marriage in 1954 he took over the family farm and farmed until its sale in 1997 (43 years). In 1981 he moved to the town of Carman, MB.
Winston was an active supporter of community events and development. In his youth, he played on the Altamont Hockey and Miami Junior Baseball teams; and later coached the Altamont 14 & under hockey teams (1956-59, 1970-75). Winston was a member of the Miami Hall board and a main force in the layout, building and funding (from Fiddle Festivals)
of the new Miami Hall in the mid 1970’s.
Winston had a passion for Old Time Fiddle music (Don Messer/ Andy Dejarlis) and began playing the fiddle at the age of 9. Winston participated in, judged, and won many trophies at fiddle contests. He played with the Stu Clayton band from 1969-1976. In 1974, he started the Miami fiddle contest which later expanded to 3 days to become the Miami Fun & Fiddle Festival (1st of its kind). He created and hosted a weekly old time fiddle radio program on CFAM Altona for 11 years beginning in the late 70’s using his own records and receiving only mileage allowance for his efforts. Winston wrote a number of fiddle tunes and released two recordings – Old Time Dance Favourites and Fiddle Festival Favourites. During his lifetime Winston played at many community fairs, festivals, senior homes, and Old Time dances including pattern dances, many times free of charge for the promotion of Old Time Fiddle music and dancing. In 1986 Winston started the Carman Fiddle Festival and retired as festival organizer in 2008. In 1997 he started his own band, Musical Mates.
Winston was a founding member of the Manitoba Fiddler’s Association and a promoter of the Fiddlers Hall of Fame currently located in the Carman Hall. In 2006, Winston was the second inductee in to the Manitoba Fiddle Association Wall of Fame – Builder/Promoter category. Winston was an active member of the Carman Hall board and his Carman fiddle festival and jamborees has funded upwards of a quarter million dollars in improvements to the Hall including the expansion and building of the hydraulic stage. Winston will be sadly missed for the support and funding he generously and tirelessly offered many communities.
A celebration of Winston’s life was held Monday, July 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carman Community Hall. Private Interment took place at the Greenwood Cemetery, Carman. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg, MB.
June 8, 2009
Downloadable contest entry form can be found HERE.
March 25th, 2009
Ticket prices listed.
February 21, 2009
More pictures added to the photo album - they can be found HERE.
January 16, 2009
The Carman Fiddle Festival Schedule has been confirmed and can be found HERE.
January 10, 2009
Dates announced for the 2009 Carman Fiddle Festival. August 7, 8 and 9th.
January 9, 2009
Carman Fiddle Festival website goes online.
August 9th, 2008
Stevensons Take the Reins!!
“There will be music, there will be food, and there will be a party.” she said of the 2009 edition of the festival. Larry added that they would also like to get young people involved as well. Performing at this year’s festival were step dancer Lotta Harasym from the Ottawa Valley, Michael Audette and the Reel Deal Band, Blue Rider, Stew Clayton, junior fiddle champion Jane Cory from Winnipeg, and Irish dancer Maggie Kas Murphy from Souris. The August 1-3 festival at the community hall was the 23rd for Carman.
Larry and Irene Stevenson
With Files from the Valley Leader
August 8th, 2008
Winston Simpson retires from Fiddle Festival
After 35 years, founder to retire
The time to call it quits has come for Winston Simpson although it will not mean the end of the Carman Fiddle Festival. Simpson, 78, has been at the forefront of the festival when it began 35 years ago in Miami and he continued since the 1986 move to Carman. “Fiddle music is a passion of mine,” said Simpson who also had a radio show on CFAM for 11years. Since coming to Carman he estimated the festival has raised about $175,000 for the community hall. “Thirty-five years is long enough,” said Simpson who besides indulging in his passion farmed in the Miami-Altamont area until retiring in 1998. He said having an annual festival has been a lot of hard work. “You have to be dedicated, really dedicated,” he said of the amount of time needed to make the festival successful.“I want to spend more time with my grandchildren.”
Simpson explained the Fiddle Festival takes up most of his summer. There is a lot of planning and organizing to do in June and July. Then after the event, it takes at least another week to wrap things up. “He’s done a great job,” said Arlene Graham who plays fiddle for the country-gospel band Blue Rider. “Music has been Winston’s life". Harvey Dueck, lead singer and guitar player for Blue Rider, said he heard of a story that during one harvest many years ago, Simpson was very late getting the grain truck back to the field because he was practicing his fiddle.
With files from the Valley Leader