World Fiddle Day May 16

—submitted

Local fiddler and square dance caller organize fundraising event for COPE dogs at Eady Hall

Numerous countries have embraced the concept of a “Fiddle Day”, on the 3rd Saturday in May. In 2015, the Canadian Parliament, in order to recognize the traditional and contemporary importance of fiddling and its importance to Canadian heritage and Canadian Society, enacted a bill which proclaimed the 3rd Saturday in May each year as “National Fiddling Day”.

The onset of the Covid pandemic brought fiddle and square dance events to a screeching halt, but when it was over in 2022, Sandy and Ralph Price decided to celebrate “Fiddle Day” and the end of the pandemic restrictions. So, on May 21st, Sandy and Ralph organized a “Fiddle Day” celebration at the Eady Community Hall in Oro-Medonte Township.

Sandy plays “old time fiddle” and Ralph is an “old time square dance caller”, so they put together an event that was a combined fiddle jam, old time dance and square dance. They decided to combine it with a fundraiser for COPE Service Dogs. Admission for the day was free, but donations were requested for COPE Service Dogs. The event was successful beyond their wildest dreams as the day raised $2,300. Some people came and stayed all afternoon and others came and went.

They organized the 2nd Annual event on May 20, 2023 and this time they raised $3,000. The 3rd Annual event on May 18, 2024 raised $4,541. The 4th Annual event on May 17, 2025 raised $5,530. for a 4-year total of $15,371.

For 2026, Ralph and Sandy have set a goal of $6,000. and if it can be achieved, it will bring the 5-year total to over $21,000. It takes $30,000 to raise and train a service dog. If they can achieve the 2026 goal, in total they will be well on their way to fully funding a dog.

World Fiddle Day at Eady Hall is a unique event that brings together people from the “dog world” and those from the “fiddle and dance world”. The generosity of businesses and individuals who have supported the event and continue to support it, is truly remarkable.

Ralph and Sandy are organizing the 5th Annual event on May 16, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Eady Community Hall. Once again admission will be free, but donations are requested for COPE Service Dogs. Fiddlers, dancers and listeners are already getting excited about what they affectionately refer to as the “DOG DANCE”. Representatives from COPE will be there with dogs in training as well as a lady who has a COPE dog because of her condition. There were six lovely Labrador Retrievers there in 2025.

As of March 14, pre-event donations and commitments are already at $3,255. Fiddling, dancing and square dancing has always been a part of the Canadian tradition, especially in rural areas. So, on May 16th, plan to come to the Eady Hall for a fun afternoon of fiddle music, dancing and square dancing. For more information, contact Ralph or Sandy Price 705-835-3159 or ralph.sandyprice@sympatico.ca.

If you will be unable to attend, but would like to support “the cause”, go to the COPE Dogs website www.copedogs.org, click on Support, click on Donate and enter “FIDDLE DAY” in Tribute.

LATEST NEWS At all of the prior “Fiddle Day” events, all of the COPE Service Dogs in attendance, were still “in training” and were not assigned to assist someone. This year, in addition to the dogs “in training”, we are pleased to announce that Alexa Wehby and her COPE Service Dog–”TJ” will be there. Alexa has Cerebral Palsy and she will explain and show what TJ does for her and comment on the profound positive impact he has had on her life. Her explanation will allow people to see where their donations go and the impact they have.