Don Messer Tribute Photograph

Don Messer, a Canadian professional fiddler, music director, music writer and entertainer passed away in 1973, and the controversy to where he was born has been an issue for years. This will be laid to rest in 2009, when citizens from Tweedside/Harvey Station, New Brunswick will be holding Messer-themed centennial celebrations.

Messer was born in 1909 Tweedside, NB., near the village of Harvey Station about a half -hours drive from Fredericton. For years and years, fans thought Messer hailed from P.E.I. or Nova Scotia. As Don Messer called his band The Islanders and the TV show was broadcast from Halifax, fans were confused where Don Messer came from.

Now the folks in Harvey Station are determined to let the world know that Messer is their own. Plans are in the works for a major celebration and a series of events to mark the 100th anniversary of Messer's birth in 2009. Some events planned are fiddle contests, fiddle workshops, barn dances and craft fairs. Harvey Station has a giant red fiddle that stands more than four metres high as a tribute to Messer.