1. Contestants may enter one solo Fiddle Class, one solo Stepdance Class, one Duet Fiddle Class, and one Group Stepdance Class and a Gospel Class.
2. Contestants may be requested to show proof of age.
3. Open Fiddle and Open Stepdance Classes are reserved for contestants with advanced skills. The Committee reserves the right to monitor eligibility.
4. Registration for a given class closes when the previous class has begun competition.
5. NEW! Contestants will perform in order of drawn number at registration check-in. (Note: This year’s performance order will not be first to register, last to compete. All contestants must check-in at the Registration Table to draw a number to determine order of play for each category).
6. Contestants must be ready to perform when called.
7. If only enough contestants register to fill the number of finalists’ positions in a given class, the rankings/scores from the preliminary and final performances will be combined to decide the winning positions (i.e. 50% from preliminary performance combined with 50% from the finals performance).
8. Any contestant having won first prize in any one class for three (3) consecutive years will not be eligible to compete in that class or any lower class in the fourth (4th) year. They may still enter a class of higher calibre. Exception: Any contestant having won first prize in Open Fiddle or Open Step Dance for two (2) consecutive years will not be eligible to compete in that class or any lower individual class in the third (3rd) year.
9. The Novice Class is reserved for contestants aged 10-15 who are new to the Old Time Fiddle and Stepdance styles, and are working towards building confidence in a competitive setting. Any contestant placing 1st in either the Novice Fiddle Class or Novice Stepdance Class will not be permitted to enter the Novice Class the following year.
10. In the event of a tie, the contestants involved may be asked to perform their entire performance again.
11. In the event of an accident beyond the performer’s control (i.e. a broken string or broken tap), he/she will be given a chance to repeat the entire performance.
12. Judges’ decisions are final and they will not be required to explain standings.
13. All winners declared during the preliminaries will be presented their prize money and trophy at that time. All 1st place winners will be required to perform in the Saturday night show.
14. Contestant marks will be sent by email upon completion of the contest weekend.
15. The Ontario Open Fiddle & Stepdance Contest reserves the right to record/photograph for media use and offer for sale any portion or all of the contest or program to be used for promotional material.
