The date, October 6-8, 2000, is set and the activities are planned for the upcoming TrailFest 2000 to be held across Prince Edward Island. Representatives from government, schools and the medical profession were on hand to announce the upcoming festivities surrounding this year's event which is based on the theme, "Walk it. Run it. Bike it. Hike it!".
This October marks the third consecutive annual TrailFest which is a joint project between Island Trails and the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island. The event highlights the trail on Prince Edward Island and encourages healthy, adventurous outdoor activity cantered on the Island's extensive network of multi-use trails, including PEI's section of the Trans Canada Trail, the Confederation Trail.
Premier Binns was on hand to announce the contribution of ParticipACTION who will contribute $3,000 toward the "TrailFest ParticipACTION Challenge." The challenge will see three Island schools win grants toward outdoor recreational equipment based on the highest per capita participation from each school. The Premier noted, "This challenge is a great way to get the kids out and familiar with the trails, and the resulting winning schools will have facilities to enhance physical activities through the outdoor equipment for years to come."
Russ Kisby, President of ParticipACTION was very encouraged by the success of the previous two years and decided to contribute again, noting in a letter to TrailFest 2000, "You and your volunteer team of supporters are building a model program, which someday we hope will be emulated by provinces and communities throughout Canada." The Premier provided students attending the news conference with ParticipACTION t-shirts.
Charlottetown family physician and representative for the Medical Society of PEI, Dr. Randy MacKinnon, has organized a contingent of Island physicians to participate in TrailFest 2000. "Physicians advocate regular physical activity as a necessary component to a healthy life style. TrailFest is a great opportunity for physicians to demonstrate that we practice what we preach. We want to encourage everyone, regardless of their level of fitness, to get out and enjoy the trails," noted Dr. MacKinnon.
Over 30 communities across the Island are participating in the event, marking the highest community participation to date. The City of Charlottetown will host Opening Ceremonies on Saturday morning and the City of Summerside, the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday. The three-day celebration of the trail was recognized as the winner of the Attractions Canada Sports Award for PEI in 1998, and participation doubled to 6,000 in 1999. The organizing committee is looking forward to a very successful year this year as well.
Tom Connor, President of Island Trails, encourages everyone to get out and enjoy the festivities. October 6-8, Thanksgiving Weekend, will be packed full of outdoor fun and will be a great way to celebrate the tip-to-tip trail system on Prince Edward Island.