More than 80,000 locals and visitors are expected to converge on the fairgrounds in Charlottetown, Aug. 10-19.
Event manager Sandra Hodder Acorn highlighted a full slate of activities at what is affectionately dubbed P.E.I.’s Family Fun Fair.
Farrell Dillon, a cast member of the major international magic show, “The Master of Illusion Live!”, is among three new acts joining Old Home Week this year.
Another new entry to the lineup will be The Keepers, an interactive and educational show about pets and wild animals.
Young fairgoers can kick up their heels in Little Buckaroos, a western-themed musical where children are the stars of the show.
Back by popular demand will be the Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull and the Fast ‘N’ Furious Flyball Dog Show that will perform four shows in the main arena.
Did you know?
Old Home Week started as a two-day event in October of 1888 with agricultural livestock shows, handicraft displays and the finest fruits and vegetables the Island soil had to offer.
Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald described Old Home Week as an iconic marketing tool that highlights the work of P.E.I.’s primary producers.
Over the 10 days, more than 250 dairy cattle, 150 beef cattle, 450 poultry, 50 sheep, 80 draft horses and 80 light horses will be housed on site and compete for top honours within their respective divisions.
The Sounds of the Island Concert Series will feature talent from the Island’s roots music scene and will boast several East Coast Music Award winners and nominees, as well as veteran Island recording artists and up-and-coming young performers. All performances will take place on the main stage nightly.
Campbell Amusements will return with its midway. Bracelets, as usual, will be available in advance at a discounted rate.
Full access 10-day event passes are on sale now at Murphy’s Pharmacies across P.E.I., Baker’s Corner Esso in Montague, at both Red Shores Charlottetown and Red Shores Summerside and at the Eastlink Centre box office.
As always, Old Home Week concludes on a Sunday with a thunderous crescendo with the Gold Cup and Saucer Race marking the conclusion to 15 racing programs in nine days in one of the most celebrated harness racing events in Eastern Canada.
Charlottetown mayor Clifford Lee calls the annual fair one of the most important weeks of the year for the capital city.
“The fact that this event is 130 years old tells us how important it is to Charlottetown,’’ he says.
For a complete schedule of Old Home Week events, visit www.oldhomeweekpei.com.
Gold Cup Parade will feature popular children’s characters
Paw Patrol will pound the pavement to the delight of thousands of children lining this year’s Gold Cup Parade route.
Characters of the action-adventure, pre-school series starring a pack of heroic pups will be joined by Bob the Builder and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as the annual parade weaves through several Charlottetown streets starting at 10 a.m. on Friday Aug. 18.
Bob the Builder will continue to the Old Home Week exhibition grounds for a live show at 2 p.m. Admission to the grounds will be free for children 12 and under from noon until 2 p.m.
The parade theme is “Canada Eh!’’ in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
Parade chairman Ray Murphy is urging entrants to incorporate the theme into their floats.
“We hope to see unique entries that represent everything Canada has to offer from many different groups and organizations throughout the entire Island,’’ says Murphy.
“The parade truly is in the hands of the community and is not possible without the support and participation of Islanders.’’
Applications for parade entries, volunteers and other information about the parade can be found online at www.goldcupparade.ca. The deadline for parade entries is Aug. 1.
For more information, contact 2017 Gold Cup Parade co-ordinator Charlotte Nicholson at 902-394-2862 or by email at [email protected].
