Prince Edward Island is ready and eagerly awaiting an early start to the 1996 tourist season. Traditionally viewed by Maritimers as a summer destination, PEI is set to dispel that impression with an exciting line-up of events starting as early as June 14.
"We developed our new Summer Starters program with Maritimers in mind," said Robert Morrissey, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "We have car racing, horse racing, country music and fireworks. In fact, there is so much going on, I think weekend visitors will have a hard time choosing what to do in PEI this June."
While July and August are obviously prime tourism months, Island operators are looking at June as a month to build some growth in the thriving Island tourism industry. With special events planned for the next three weekends in locations across the province, property owners are looking forward to busy restaurants and no-vacancy signs.
First up on June 14 and 15, will be the MASCAR 100 at Oyster Bed Bridge. Celebrity driver Jr. Hanley will compete in the big race on Saturday, and visitors to the Island will be able to enjoy a pit stop challenge and a dance.
On the following weekend, Summerside will host Jammin' Country, the first and the only country music festival in the Maritimes. From June 20-23, the city will be the scene of events such as talent searches, concerts, dances, tours and street performers. Featured performers will include Jason McCoy, the Barra MacNeils and Islanders Randy J. Martin, Maxine MacLeod and Kim Albert.
And over the last weekend in June, the province explodes into action with no fewer than four major festivals taking place in Charlottetown, Summerside and the Evangeline Region. The newest of these, the Festival of Lights, is a project of the recently formed Capital Commission. Featuring Charlottetown's status as the Cradle of Confederation, the city will be hosting the largest Canada Day celebration east of Ottawa. Laser light shows, fireworks, popular performers like Great Big Sea and Modabo as well as buskers, the Fathers of Confederation Players, children's shows and a calypso party promise to make this event a highlight of the whole season. The Charlottetown Driving Park has developed its own exciting schedule for the weekend with celebrity drivers coming in from the "big tracks," the Maritime Invitational Pace and the Dairy Queen Futurity, golf tournament, barbecue and a handicapping workshop.
If all that isn't enough, the World Dance Festival will present its second year of exciting dance acts from around the world featuring troupes from Mexico, Italy, Ontario and Quebec. And the ever-popular Highland Gathering takes place in Summerside, just one of the many lively events over the weekend across the Island.
"We are really excited about our Summer Starters schedule," said Frank Butler, Chief Operating Officer at Tourism PEI. "I expect to see plenty of Maritimers cross the strait over the next few weekends."