Plans are underway and confirmation has been received that Cabot Park will be the site of Atlantic Canada's "largest ever" motorhome rally late August, 2000. As many as 500 to 800 motorhomes participating in the Post Brunswick 2000 rally will make a temporary home in the Malpeque region, marking the first time that a group this large has visited the area.
"This event will be a great boost for the regional economy as well as tourism as a whole," noted Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Tourism. "We are looking forward to introducing this group to Cabot Park and seeing them return to Prince Edward Island, again and again."
The motorhome rally will be hosted by both Atlantic Province FMCA (Family Motor Coaching Association) Chapters - the "Perfect Circle" and "Scotian Roamers." The rally here in Prince Edward Island will follow the Brunswick 2000 rally the previous weekend where 8,000 - 10,000 motor homes will spend the weekend in Maine. Participants attending the rally in Prince Edward Island will primarily be from the New England states as far south as New Jersey.
In preparation for the group's arrival, Provincial Parks are arranging entertainment based on various themes and seminars to educate participants about what to do and see while they are on Prince Edward Island. Tours proposed for the event so far include: Green Gables/North Shore; Deep Sea Fishing; a golf package and a historic tour of the Charlottetown Area.
Mr. George Riley, a member of the executive for the FMCA chapter "Perfect Circle," has been very encouraged by the alliance between the organizing committee and the provincial government in the preparations for the event. "This will be quite an undertaking and it took a lot of planning between the two groups to ensure that everyone's needs were met. I am really looking forward to having the group come to Cabot Park to show them, firsthand, what our Island is all about. Our information and registration forms were snatched up in no time, indicating a high level of interest in this add-on trip."
Cabot Beach on Route 20, 16 km north of Kensington is the largest park in western PEI at 360 acres. This beautiful park has a large day-use area with playground equipment, an activity centre with children's programs and a naturalist on staff who provides guided nature walks in addition to supervised swimming on scenic Malpeque Bay.
"We are extremely pleased to host the "Perfect Circle" and "Scotian Roamers," two chapters of the Family Motor Coaching Association at Cabot Beach Provincial Park," noted Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment and area MLA. "The scenic drives and beautiful beachfront of the area should entice many of these visitors to make our Island part of their formula for touring in the future."
The Perfect Circle and Scotian Roamers will stay at Cabot Park August 24-27, 2000. "It will be the first time most of these travellers have visited Prince Edward Island," added Minister MacAdam, "but I can guarantee you we will see many of them year after year, once they get a taste of PEI hospitality."