Our Canadian musical heritage event, “Fiddles on the Rideau” was formed in May 2021 to promote and preserve Canadian Fiddle music and to raise awareness and financial aid for local mental health organizations in Ottawa.
In May 2015, the National Fiddling Day Act was passed and officially became a bill. An excerpt from the bill states, “the art of fiddle playing has a significant role in the cultural and social history of Canada and is practiced in all provincial and territorial regions. It is in the interest of all Canadians to become more familiar with the traditional and contemporary importance of fiddling, to Canadian Heritage and Canadian Society.” The Fiddles on the Rideau Festival strives to deliver and fulfill the message of this bill.
FOTRF is also passionate about supporting mental health initiatives in Ottawa. To date, we have supported Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, Serenity Renewal For Families, and Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa.
This coming year, our festival will run from June 21-23 2024 in Manotick. It will include concerts and workshops featuring prominent Canadian fiddle performers from across the country, representing different fiddle styles and cultural groups. In addition, a favourite component of the weekend is our musical river run featuring a flotilla of pontoon boats carrying fiddlers who perform for spectators on the shore and boaters alike.
