Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival will continue, say new organizers Big Field Tradition

The Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival will play on after it was taken over by award-winning musician Tim Chaisson and a group of seven of his family members.

The future of the popular music event had been in question after the most recent organizer, Peter Chaisson, died suddenlylast summer during the festival.

"All of us grew up attending the festival every year, spending so much time down at the fiddle grounds as they're called," said Chaisson. "We just couldn't imagine it not happening."

Chaisson, his two brothers and five of his cousins formed a new non-profit group to run the festival, called Big Field Tradition, to bring the festival into its 40th year.

The festival is always held the third weekend inJuly, something that will continue this year.

'We all learned to play because of that'

Chaisson said thenew non-profit group will work to continue keeping the tradition of fiddling alive, including offering fiddling lessons to people in the community, just as previous organizers have done.

"We all learned to play because of that," referring to his partners in Big Field Tradition,Peter Chaisson's sons Andrew and Stanley, cousins JJ, Koadyand Kyle, andTim'sbrothers,Brent andDarren.

"Carrying it on is an important thing, for our family and the community," he said. "And I think forming the not-for-profit is a good way to move ahead with it."

Big Field Tradition still needs to fundraise to get the festival going. Chaisson said a $60,000 GoFundMe campaign will be launched Monday, with money goingto fix up some of the buildings at the eventgrounds, as well as pay for artists to play at the event.

New music band camp added

Chaisson said money will be required "to book entertainment, for the infrastructure to be improved, and just to keep it going."

"We'd just hate to see it die out which potentially could have happened."

A community fundraiseris also plannedfor April 22 at the Rollo BayChurch. Chaisson said that night will includea presentation about some of the changes this year, including thenew Rollo Bay Music Camp. That three-daycamp of fiddle, guitar and step-dancing lessons will start the Tuesday before the festival, and is open to both children and adults.

"We did workshops atthe festival in the past," said Chaisson, "and we just thought we would take it a step further and kind of create like a teaching community as part of the festival as well."

Memories of the late Peter Chaissonare also expected to be a big part of the 40th anniversary celebrations.

"For anyone who knew Peter, his heart and soul was put into the festival," said Chaisson. "He'd probably say 'You guys are crazy' But he would be very happy to know that it's going to continue on, and we'll definitely be paying a lot of tribute to Peter this year."

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