As if good fiddling wasn't enough, the Wareham Historical Society's annual Old Time Fiddle Contest added two new attractions to its traditional 4th of July fiddle event by introducing Irish step-dancing and a storyteller to the playbill.

Maureen Haley brought a large contingent of young dancers from her Haley Irish Dance School to showcase both the individual and group dancers. Haley, who has been teaching in the South Shore and Cape area for more than 40 years, said her dancers would normally be at National Competition on the 4th of July, but they decided to take a break this year. Wareham received the benefit of that decision, as dancers as young as 5 years old showed off their talents.

A surprise this year was Jackson Gilman, who entertained everyone with his folksy, animated story of a southern fiddle contest. With no props and only imagination, he wove a story of mountain laurel wood and whip-o-wills, family and competition in a cadence with the feel of fiddle music.

But as always, people came to hear old-time fiddle music, and they were not disappointed. Fiddlers in both adult and youth categories played two pieces each, some alone and some with accompaniment. Fifteen year-old Sophie Gardner of Plympton won the youth class, playing "Harvest Home" and "Ookpik Waltz." Other contestants included Grania and Liadan Gallagher of Falmouth, and Fern Tamagini-O'Donnell of Wareham.

Tiffany Rozenas, 24, of Rochester, won the adult contest playing "Homage a Jonny" and Jean's Reek. Tiffany, a perennial favorite at the annual event, was accompanied by her father on the guitar. Others joining the adult competition were Erin Carr, 17, of North Falmouth, Diane Maranche of Falmouth, and Michael Pevan of Teaticket.

The Old Time Country Fiddle Contest is sponsored by the Wareham Historical Society and has been held in Thatcher Hall since its inception in 2009. Proceeds from the the refreshments and "Cake Walk" raffle help support the Society.