On June 12th, I was invited to attend the Tourism Prince Edward Island‘s 1864 pop-up feast with Chef Lynn Crawford. My excitement was through the roof. This was my third Tourism Prince Edward Island event and I have thoroughly loved all three. But there was something extra special about the event put on this year, which took you down Canadian history lane in true P.E.I. fashion. This event is always intended to share the true unique experience and magic this little island has to offer and over achieves every time!
If you’re still contemplating a vacation this summer or fall, then add P.E.I. to your vacation spot bucket list. There is no better time to visit because there are so many amazing festivities planned for 2014. You will see that P.E.I. is more than their beloved Anne of Green Gables, potatoes, and lighthouses. 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. This landmark event brought 23 leaders together which led to the birth of our beautiful nation. And by no coincidence they have over 150 events and festivals planned. Altogether there’s 70 days of activities throughout the entire summer at no better place than Confederation Landing.
Prince Edward Island started off the summer fun at their designated P.E.I. Celebration Zone with a huge Canada Day party! This included live performances from some of Canada’s top artists including Barenaked Ladies, Tegan and Sara and Classified. To make sure the festival kicks off with a bang, they proudly put on the largest fireworks display to ever take place in Canada.
P.E.I. Tourism Minister Robert Ferguson, who confesses that he “Came from Away” but fell deeply in love with P.E.I. and stayed, was at the event to introduce us to just a handful of the many activities planned from July to September at the historic Confederation Landing, now dubbed the P.E.I. Celebration Zone, which is located right on the waterfront where the Fathers of Confederation first came ashore. The P.E.I. Celebration Zone is the centre of the action, with major concerts, cultural activities and each week a Canadian province will be featured to illustrate that this is more than a P.E.I. event but a true celebration of Canada and Canadian culture! There is also a Kid’s Zone filled with awesome kid’s activities, interactive walking tours where you can learn about the historic landing site, live theatre and dance, culinary events, and the opportunity to enjoy regional dishes and fresh seafood at the Fathers Pub and Oyster Bar. Everyone wants to get in on the action and participate in such an exciting and important part history. What better way than to throw a summer long party?
The P.E.I. Celebration Zone is not the only place to be this year on Prince Edward Island. There are a ton more activities planned throughout the season from May to October such as the Island Fusion Festival; the Cavendish Beach Music Festival which featured many of the best country artists; the TD Jazz & Blues Festival which is a series of free concerts and workshops; and the much anticipated Founders Week from August 28th to September 7th. Founders Week is a celebration of the Fathers of Confederation. Shania Twain will kick off Founders Week in Charlottetown on August 30th, bringing the biggest concert to the Island.
The Tall Ships are also set to sail into port in Charlottetown on August 28th to 31st. Of course there will be fun re-enactments, great food and fun for the entire family.
Fall Flavours, a culinary festival, is another event planned for September, from September 5 to September 28. This festival is to highlight the amazing food Prince Edward Island has to offer. It will take place at several venues and promises one of a kind experiences! To top things off, this festival will be hosted by the most popular Food Network personalities Canada has to offer, including Chef Michael Smith, Anna and Michael Olson, Mark McEwan, Corbin Tomaszeski, Lynn Crawford, Chuck Hughes and Massimo Capra. Chef Lynn Crawford has been a proud advocate for P.E.I. for many years and her love for our true north strong and free makes her the perfect host of the Feast of the Fathers this year, which I can tell you first hand is going to be a spectacular feast showcasing PEI’s diverse and truly Canadian cuisine.
There are tons more sites and attractions to visit in P.E.I. and plenty of adventure to be found. No matter what fitness level you are the Confederation Trail is a must do. This trail follows the abandoned railway. Islanders are crafty folk and saw an opportunity to make good use of the railway. So they turned it into a tip-to-tip walking and cycling trail, which is also used for snowmobiling in the winter. This scenic trail offers breathtaking landscape with plenty to enjoy along the way.
P.E.I. Tourism Minister Rob Henderson recently reported that May tourism numbers are up compared to last year and with all that’s happening on the island, I imagine they will continue to rise!
As you can see, Atlantic Canada is ready to party! And rumour has it once you visit P.E.I you won’t want to come back.
For more information, visit http://www.tourismpei.com