8 fun things to do on P.E.I. this long weekend
From horse shows in Alberton to dory races in Murray River, there's plenty to do on P.E.I. right now
Can you believe we are half-way through our Island summer already?
Fill up your water bottle, fill up the car and take in some of the fun things to do this — for some — long weekend.
1. Northumberland Fisheries Festival
The festival started last week and continues through Sunday at the Northumberland Arena in Murray River, P.E.I.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the Miss Northumberland pageant. The talent segment goes Friday at 8 p.m. and the winner will be crowned Saturday night.
On Saturday there are dory rowing and log rolling competitions at the Murray River wharf, kids' watermelon-eating contests, a scavenger hunt, a lobster/ham supper and lots of entertainment. On Sunday, enjoy a poker run and a gospel ceilidh in the evening for $2.
More info on the event's website.
2. Prince County Exhibition
Head to Alberton, P.E.I., for the Prince County Exhibition which began Thursday and continues through Saturday at the exhibition grounds across from the elementary school on Church Street. There's an official opening ceremony tonight at the Jacques Cartier Arena followed by a singing competition.
The exhibition is 90 years old this year, and shows no sign of its age. A major highlight: the parade through town with as many as 100 entries which goes at 11 a.m. Saturday starting at Sacred Heart Church.
Saturday enjoy horse and livestock shows, bingo, amusement rides, a petting zoo, harness races, old-fashioned games like a three-legged race, entertainment and a dance at the rink. Full schedule on their Facebook page.
Daily admission to the exhibition grounds is $6 for adults, children under 12 $2 and preschoolers get in free. You can get a three-day pass, and rides and dances are extra.
3. P.E.I. Pride Festival
Pride's been going on all week but it's not over yet! Friday night there's a social at Upstreet Brewery at 7:30 p.m. and a dance at The Alley from 9 to midnight.
Saturday is the big Pride parade in downtown Charlottetown starting at 1 p.m., followed by Pride in the Park from 2 to 5 p.m. and a prom-themed masquerade at Red Shores Race Track in Charlottetown from 10 til midnight. More info on the event's Facebook page.
4. Mermaid Tears Sea Glass Festival
Souris, P.E.I., claims to have the best beach on the Island for collecting sea glass, so it makes sense that it hosts an annual sea glass festival. It goes Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Souris historic lighthouse grounds.
You can enter your favourite piece of sea glass in the "shard contest" on Sunday — top prize is a whopping $400! There are also categories for best marble, best pottery/ceramic shard and most unusual shard.
Take in sea glass information sessions, sea glass bingo, vendors, food, jewelry-making sessions and you can get your photo taken with what they promise will be a "live mermaid" named Fianna!
Organizers say there will be french-speaking staff, but caution there are no ATMs. Daily admission is $5 per vehicle or $3 for walk-ins. More info on their webpage.
5. Altantic Firefit Challenge
You may be able to register for this event in Summerside last-minute: entries close Friday evening, when the event begins with a corporate challenge.
Individual competition is Saturday and team and relay competitions are Sunday, all outside Credit Union Place.
It's a "gruelling exercise," said Summerside Fire Chief Jim Peters, who has taken part in the annual challenge in past years. Firefighters in full gear must haul a 90-kilogram hose, hose down a target, evacuate fake victims and climb a tower as fast as they can.
There will be a kiddie course for the youngsters to try.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children and $12 per family for the whole weekend.
6. Rendez-vous Rustico
Your name does not have to be Gallant for you to partake in Rendez-vous Rustico, although the annual gathering can feel a little like a big family reunion. The bilingual festival celebrates the area's Acadian heritage and francophone culture and joi de vivre.
There's a duathlon and fun run Saturday morning and a pancake breakfast. In the evening, a kitchen party features a talent show, an "Islander supper" of mussels and potatoes ($8), an open mic and a performance by DOC ($7, free for those under 16).
Sunday there's a bilingual mass at the historic St. Augustine's Catholic Church in South Rustico, followed by a free barbecue at noon at the Farmers Bank next door. In the evening, a traditional Acadian supper at 5:30 is followed by Lennie Gallant's show at the church at 8 — the festival's anchor performance for 20 years ($18 to $28).
More info on the event's Facebook page.
7. Murphy Twins Pop-up Ceilidh
Twins Laurie and Lisa Murphy are co-hosting a one-night-only music and comedy talk-variety show they're calling P.E.I. Pop-up Ceilidh at the Benevolent Irish Society in Charlottetown Monday.
It's a gathering of talented friends including Juno-award-winning folk singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan, Christina Forgeron, Brooke Miller and more, in an intriguing format.
"Besides being thrilled that we've got terrific musical guests lined up and other special surprises, we're also going to have chats with performers and guests, just to see what everyone's been up to," said Laurie, who's made Toronto, Ont., her home the last several years. (You might remember her as one of the founders of The Drill Queens comedy troupe and member of Celtic Knot musical group.)
"A familiar P.E.I tradition, to get caught up on the news!" enthused Laurie.
Celtic Knot members will reunite and several group alumni may drop by. Brad Fremlin will play his internationally-renowned snare drum and the saw, and show some of his photography.
Advance tickets are $20 or $15 for students, seniors, arts workers and BIS members, or $20 to $25 at the door. More info on the event's Facebook page.
8. Treble at the Corner
Keep the weekend vibe going into Tuesday with the weekly ceilidh hosted by Treble with Girls at beautiful Orwell Corner Historic Village down east in Orwell, P.E.I.
The group includes Jolee Patkai, Norman Stewart, fiddler Sheila MacKenzie and Maxine MacLennan, who's just released a new solo album.
The band plays every Tuesday evening in July and August at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $35 for a family of four. More info on the group's Facebook page.
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