Pembroke – The 2024 edition of the Pembroke Old-Time fiddling and Stepdancing competition is in the history books and organizers say there was an increased number of participants over last year, which was the first since COVID.

Don Rosien, a member of the organizing committee, dubbed the 46^th annual competition as quite successful.

“It went well; our numbers were up in the contestants,” he reported. “So that was good to see, especially in the younger ones.

“That’s promising for the future when there’s more young ones coming into it,” he added. “And I think there was 17 in the 65-plus.”

The total number of registrants was around 122, an increase from the 80-plus participants last year.

Mr. Rosien said the number of trailers at Fiddle Park was down from about 300 last year to 250 this year, adding he is hopeful with more advertising in the future that number will get back to where it was previously. He said the price of gas is a factor in the decrease, and some people cancelled due to health reasons.

This year’s event marked the second year the competition was held in Festival Hall, having moved there from the Pembroke Memorial Centre (PMC) in 2023.

“It worked a lot better this year,” he said of the transition. “There’s always still a few little tweaks; you always find a few more little bugs to iron out.

“But the city and Festival Hall partners are good to help us out,” he added.

Mr. Rosien said the competitors and fans continue to be impressed with the new facility.

“Everybody likes it. The seats are more comfortable, the sound is fantastic. It’s just a nicer setting.

“It’s meant for that type of event,” he added.

He paid credit to the co-emcees Art Jamieson and Paul Lemelin, saying Mr. Jamieson will continue to be part of the show for as long as he can do it. He added Mr. Lemelin is bilingual and speaks some French for the Francophone contestants.

Mr. Rosien said the closing number where the fiddling (Louis Schryer, Shane Cook, Brian Hebert) and stepdancing judges (Sarah Robinson, Tiffany Fewster, Kyle Warmouth) take to the stage to showcase their talents was a highlight of the evening on Saturday.

“You can’t beat the three fiddlers who were up there, and then the stepdancers too. “

While the weekend is a lot of work for the committee and the many volunteers, it’s all worthwhile.

He said the jam sessions at Fiddle Park continue to be an important part of the competition.

“There’s not as many as there used to be, but the Schryers are kind of the major hub and then there are the Marchs. A lot of people bring their own little tents.”