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Sign dedication honours local fiddler

On July 19, St. Paul’s own Calvin Vollrath had his name dedicated to the welcome sign on the east end of town, while also celebrating the tenth anniversary of Camp Calvin.
Fiddle master Calvin Vollrath was joined by the participants at his annual fiddle camp during a sign dedication in the Town of St. Paul. The town’s welcome signs
Fiddle master Calvin Vollrath was joined by the participants at his annual fiddle camp during a sign dedication in the Town of St. Paul. The town’s welcome signs recognize Vollrath, as well as three other local talents, Jamie Sadlowski, Marcel Rocque and Brett Kissel.

On July 19, St. Paul’s own Calvin Vollrath had his name dedicated to the welcome sign on the east end of town, while also celebrating the tenth anniversary of Camp Calvin.

Kevin Bernhardt, president of the Chamber of Commerce, made the official dedication on Tuesday afternoon at the east end welcome sign. The chamber is working on doing sign dedications for each person who has their name on the sign, which also includes World long drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski, World champion curler Marcel Rocque, and country music star Brett Kissel. Kissel had his own dedication held during his hometown homecoming, last month.

Vollrath, who is world-renowned fiddler, had his name put on the sign in December. He has travelled extensively, performing in various places. He was also part of the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

“I am honored that the town and the chamber would give me that recognition,” said Vollrath, during the dedication event.

“I’m really just a simple guy. I play music. I share my knowledge with youngsters and teach them how to play music. I travel all around the world, and my favourite trip is when I come home to St. Paul. St. Paul is a great place,” he added.

Vollrath continued to live in St. Paul, but doesn’t do many performances in his hometown.

“I don’t perform here in St. Paul very often. This year I did the Brett Kissel concert, last year I played the July 1st Canada Day celebrations for the town, and I also did a show for the Ag Society a few years ago. It’s nice to come home, I have my recording studio here in town, and I hope to continue spreading the joy of music.”

Bernhardt says that Vollrath’s fame has such a far reach that it helps put St. Paul on the map.

“It’s great that we’ve started to personally acknowledge each of the people that we have on the sign. It was a really touching day. Calvin’s fame stretches across the world, and he’s the kind of person that he could go down to Nashville, and he’d probably just meet people down there that know him. Yet, he stays here, and he brings people to our community.”

This year also signified 10 years of music and learning at Camp Calvin. The camp, which takes place out at the renewal centre in St. Edouard, attracts people from across Canada, and even from the U.S.

Last Thursday afternoon, students from the first week of Camp Calvin gathered to take part in the annual Fiddler’s Idol concert. Students played a variety of instruments, performing anything from traditional fiddle music, to Elvis, and even some impressive original tunes.

Each year, the camp brings in people of all ages, and all musical backgrounds. A second week of Camp Calvin is already taking place, and will again wrap up on Thursday with a students’ concert.

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