British Columbia Fiddlers’ Association Branch #12 Kamloops was organized by Art Waite and Leo Ready on Oct 24, 1982.

In 1982 we started with 22 members and today we have over 100 members which includes 15 active musicians.

Practices started in Art and Rita Waite’s basement and eventually in 1985 we moved to the Heritage House where we still hold practices today every Tuesday evening from September to May.  Most of our monthly dances also take place at Heritage House at the edge of Riverside Park.

In 1990 our members played at 4 senior homes per week, and occasionally at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, the Royal Inland Hospital, plus held two dances a month.

We are now playing at 15 Senior homes, playing at least 3 times a month.  In addition, our musicians have played for special events such as the Ashcroft Fall Fair, the Legion, Boogie the Bridge, Clinton Christmas Tea, Kamloops Farmers Market, Skeetchestn Indian Band, Adams Lake Indian Ban, Seniors’ Christmas Light Tour, Hub International Seniors Dinner, Kamloops Wildlife Park Fund Raiser, the Free Masons, Indigenous Days in Riverside Park & a BC Metis Nation gathering, along with one dance a month from October to May.

The original 1982 Members who are still with us today are Leo Ready (although he moved back East in 2011) who held many positions on the local and provincial boards and is still active playing fiddle back in Ontario; Gordon Berner, he was active on the dance floor, looking after the bar when we had one, along with many different positions on the Branch #12 Board; Mable Bird, she was always supporting her husband Colin Bird, who was active as a director/ musician in Branch #12

We would like to acknowledge some of our other long time members:

-          Jenny Bakken, who had been a member for 32 years, loved to dance with her husband Larry, she had moved to the lower Mainland to be closer to family, but when she lived here, always gave a helping hand when ever needed, in the kitchen feeding our musicians, and at the door helping with tickets.  We learned recently that Jenny has now passed away.

-          Joe Edwards who has been a member of the B.C.O.T.F. in the Prince George and Quesnel Branches and a Member of Branch #12 off and on since 1987.  He still travels from his home in Valemont on occasion to join us at a dance.

-           Betty Tasko, who has been a member since 1989, 36 years, Betty loved to dance, and over the many years has been on the board of directors, in charge of decorations, looking after tickets at the door for many of our events, has sewn many of our red vests, distributes posters for our dances, and is still our Sunshine lady today although she does say she is looking for a replacement for that position.

-          Also, Mary Robillard, who became a member in 1985, 40 years. She started to play her guitar with the Kamloops Branch many years ago & still joins the band when she is able.  Mary has also made a special cake for the Fiddlers Annual Picnic each year.

We fondly remember so many of our musicians & valuable volunteers who have passed on before us.  At the same time we are very fortunate to have new musicians & other volunteers who have joined us and are keeping the Old Time music alive.

We have hosted 34 Old Time Fiddle Contests over the years, and in this year, 2025, we are hosting the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition at the Sagebrush Theatre on August 23.