Evidence that Old Home Week is just around the corner was evident all over the grounds in Charlottetown on Wednesday.
Commercial Tent Rentals and Sales had a large crew assembling the big tents just off Kensington Road while crews inside the Trade Centre dumped dirt for the sand sculpture, put up tables and assembled colourful lighting that will hang from the ceiling.
The annual event, which runs Aug. 11-20, is expected to draw more than 90,000 visitors to the grounds.
Sandra Hodder Acorn, who spent 10 years volunteering with the Dundas Plowing Match, is now in charge of managing the provincial exhibition.
“It’s a bigger scale over a longer period of time,’’ Hodder Acorn laughed when asked the compare the two events. “We’re looking at 10 days (for Old Home Week) compared to three days out home.’’
Like many Islanders, Hodder Acorn spent a lot of time at the grounds growing up.
“There was a gentleman who lived on our street and he was like a surrogate grandfather to my brother and I. My dad and ‘grandfather’ would come every day for the harness racing so my brother and I would come with them, and drag some extra kids with us.
“We would come in and go on the rides and watch the agricultural shows. We would come and spend the whole day. Dad and ‘grampie’ would sit in the grandstand and it was probably the easiest time my brother and I could ever get money from dad. When we ran out of money we would go back to the grandstand and sit with dad and he’d go ‘here’s some money’,’’ she laughed recalling her fondest memory.
The grand ole fare hasn’t changed much since then.
The rides are back and Campbell Amusement Rides will be bringing a new offering with it this year, the Rockin’ Tug.
The mainstay livestock shows and agricultural competitions will take place throughout the week.
The popular Sounds of Island Concert Series will again hit the main stage daily, 7:30-10 p.m., with a host of familiar entertainers from Eddy Quinn to the Dunromin Bluegrass Band.
The Fast ‘N Furious Dog Show also returns.
Other lively entertainment includes veteran juggler and comedian Josh Casey.
Hodder Acorn expects plenty of interest and participation in The Cutest Show in Earth, a high-energy, free show designed to get family members playing together. Kids dress up and become star performers in a live theatre experience.
Of course, there will be 15 racing programs culminating in the Gold Cup and Saucer Race while the Gold Cup Parade lines its way through Charlottetown on Friday, Aug. 19.
Evidence that Old Home Week is just around the corner was evident all over the grounds in Charlottetown on Wednesday.
Commercial Tent Rentals and Sales had a large crew assembling the big tents just off Kensington Road while crews inside the Trade Centre dumped dirt for the sand sculpture, put up tables and assembled colourful lighting that will hang from the ceiling.
The annual event, which runs Aug. 11-20, is expected to draw more than 90,000 visitors to the grounds.
Sandra Hodder Acorn, who spent 10 years volunteering with the Dundas Plowing Match, is now in charge of managing the provincial exhibition.
“It’s a bigger scale over a longer period of time,’’ Hodder Acorn laughed when asked the compare the two events. “We’re looking at 10 days (for Old Home Week) compared to three days out home.’’
Like many Islanders, Hodder Acorn spent a lot of time at the grounds growing up.
“There was a gentleman who lived on our street and he was like a surrogate grandfather to my brother and I. My dad and ‘grandfather’ would come every day for the harness racing so my brother and I would come with them, and drag some extra kids with us.
“We would come in and go on the rides and watch the agricultural shows. We would come and spend the whole day. Dad and ‘grampie’ would sit in the grandstand and it was probably the easiest time my brother and I could ever get money from dad. When we ran out of money we would go back to the grandstand and sit with dad and he’d go ‘here’s some money’,’’ she laughed recalling her fondest memory.
The grand ole fare hasn’t changed much since then.
The rides are back and Campbell Amusement Rides will be bringing a new offering with it this year, the Rockin’ Tug.
The mainstay livestock shows and agricultural competitions will take place throughout the week.
The popular Sounds of Island Concert Series will again hit the main stage daily, 7:30-10 p.m., with a host of familiar entertainers from Eddy Quinn to the Dunromin Bluegrass Band.
The Fast ‘N Furious Dog Show also returns.
Other lively entertainment includes veteran juggler and comedian Josh Casey.
Hodder Acorn expects plenty of interest and participation in The Cutest Show in Earth, a high-energy, free show designed to get family members playing together. Kids dress up and become star performers in a live theatre experience.
Of course, there will be 15 racing programs culminating in the Gold Cup and Saucer Race while the Gold Cup Parade lines its way through Charlottetown on Friday, Aug. 19.
