CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Children encased in bubbles, illusions and roving stilted walkers and jogglers are ready to bring even more fun and excitement to this year’s Old Home Week, Aug. 9-18, at Charlottetown’s exhibition grounds.
A press conference was held in Charlottetown on Tuesday to release the details.
Organizers expect more than 80,000 guests will visit the fairgrounds to learn about agriculture, enjoy family entertainment, view handicraft, art and 4-H displays, ride the midway, taste some food at the Top of the Park dining room and cheer on the harness racing.
“Our entertainment lineup continues to offer something for all ages,’’ said Sandra Hodder Acorn, co-ordinator with Old Home Week.
Related: The Guardian returns as title sponsor of the Gold Cup & Saucer
One of the new attractions is Bubble Wonders. It will feature bubble tricks, including the bubble caterpillar, bubble volcano, dancing bubble and kids inside a bubble.
Murray Hatfield will be bringing his comedy magic show, a program that will blend magic, comedy, skill and illusion.
Indigo Entertainment is also new. Based out of Calgary, Alta., there will be roving stilt walkers and jugglers, as well as two stage performances of hula hooping and fire acts.
Back for another year is the Domino Man. Bill Oakley from Dartmouth, N.S., has been setting up and toppling dominos for more than 20 years. He will perform one big topple a day with 10,000 dominos, 30 to 35 stunts and patterns in what will take 10 minutes to topple down.
Old Home Week also has the Cowboy Challenge where teams of two will race an obstacle course consisting of roping, square dancing, hay carrying and becoming a jockey on an inflatable horse.
Passes now on sale
- Old Home Week passes are now on sale at Murphy’s Pharmacies, Mel’s Corner Express in Montague, Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside and at the Eastlink Centre
- Buy a pass before July 31, and the pass number will be entered in a draw on Aug. 3 for prizes
- The grand prize is a 34-game flex package to the Charlottetown Islanders for the 2018-19 season
- On the web at www.oldhomeweekpei.com
Hodder Acorn said the agricultural component will also be front and centre. There will be more than 250 dairy cattle, 130 beef cattle, 550 poultry, 50 sheep, 80 draft horses and 80 light horses on site.
In addition, the P.E.I. leg of the Maritime 4-Horse Hitch Classic will be hosted on Monday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m.
The Sounds of the Island Concert Series is also back and will be on stage in the trade centre daily, 7:30-10 p.m.
Harness Racing Karaoke Star will also be back on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 10:30 p.m.
The Red Dirt Cattle Penning show returns with shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The P.E.I. Mutual Youth Talent Competition will take place Wednesday, Aug. 15.
An no Old Home Week would be complete without Campbell Amusements. Bracelet Day will be every day with toonie day on Sunday, Aug. 12, and Tuesday, Aug. 14.
The Gold Cup Parade goes on Friday, Aug. 17, under the theme “P.E.I. has got talent’’.
“This will be an opportunity to expose a cross-section of people,’’ said parade chairman Ray Murphy. “All floats are encouraged to keep with this theme.’’
New to the parade will be Paw Patrol, Nella the Princess Knight and Toopy and Binoo with children invited to a meet-and-greet at the exhibition grounds at 2 p.m. following the parade.
“(The parade) is something everyone looks forward to, and I can’t emphasize enough how important community support is. Without it, the parade would not be possible.’’
