Sage to be recognized on wall of fame

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Published on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Submitted photo. Charlie Sage was an avid fiddler all his life and will be inducted posthumously in the Manitoba Fiddlers’ Wall of Fame.

Submitted article

The Neepawa Press

On Sunday, April 24, Charles (Charlie) Sage will be inducted (posthumously) into the Manitoba Fiddlers' Wall of Fame as a Builder/Promoter. Charlie was an avid fiddler from an early age. He was completely self taught. During his life, he played at many community dances, house parties, local groups and just for the enjoyment of playing.

In the 1970s, Charlie, as a member of the Neepawa I.O.O.F., was looking to start a fundraiser for the lodge. As an ardent fiddler, he conceived the idea of holding an old time fiddling contest to attract as many fiddlers as possible to participate.

The first contest was held in the Neepawa I.O.O.F. Hall in March 1978 and was a decided success. Sadly, Charlie did not live to see the first contest held and to see how successful it would become. He had suffered heart disease from the age of 60 and on Feb. 10, 1978 he died suddenly, immediately after playing at the Neepawa Drop In Centre. The lodge continued the contest as Charlie would have wished. It then became known as the Charlie Sage Memorial Old Time Fiddler's Contest. After the closing of the lodge, the contest was continued during the Lily Festival, supported by family members and friends.

The contest is now held as an event during the Manitoba Old Time Fiddle Championship in Portage La Prairie.

The induction ceremony will take place in Carman on Apr. 24, with dancing from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The induction ceremony will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Other inductees will include “Fiddlin Red” Sabiston (posthumously), fiddler/performer (from Dauphin); Denis Encontre, fiddler/performer (from Ile Des Chenes) and Allison Granger, fiddler/performer (Edmonton)

For more information, Call Ed Sage at 204-476-5772 or Joan McGillivray at 204-476-2088.