Celebrating rural life

Packed lineup part of 64th annual Crapaud Exhibition

The sight of lumberjacks chopping, the smell of blueberry and walnut pies and the sound of lawn tractors will fill the air at the annual Crapaud Exhibition, July 28-30.

The 64th event shines a light on rural living, with a special emphasis this year on the Mi’kmaq culture, before the truck and tractor pull competition goes on the following weekend.

The Guardian sat down with Tom Albrecht, Fran Albrecht, Heather Dixon and Hilda Colodey, all directors with the Crapaud Exhibition Association, to talk about this year’s list of activities.

New this year is the mechanical bull that Tom Albrecht thinks will be a big hit.

“It’s new and it’s exciting. People are challenged by it,’’ Albrecht said, adding that bull rides will be open to children and adults.

Albrecht issued a challenge to fellow director Jamie MacPhail to see how long he could stay on the bull before getting tossed.

“I’d love to see the expression on his face when he reads this,’’ Albrecht laughs.

The Charlottetown Remote Control Flying Club will be on hand with a static display and some flying.

Dixon is looking after the John Walker Building, which will feature small animals and agricultural awareness displays. There will be goats, sheep and a jersey cow as well as all kinds of birds.

“We have a sign up to educate people as to what these animals do and we also have a rabbit show,’’ Dixon said.

Colodey added that there will also be some alpacas and a donkey in the building.

Fran Albrecht will handle the children’s activities in the green building. It opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, featuring a sandbox, build-a-birdhouse (while supplies last), crafts, face-painting, reading tent, pedal carts and G&G Amusements and Rides. Stories of the Mi’kmaq takes place at 10:35 a.m., followed by Mr. Magic at noon.

The Island Bunny Trails Petting Zoo will run 1-4 p.m., and Mr. Magic is back at 2 p.m., followed by Stories of the Mi’kmaq at 3:15 p.m.

And, what would an exhibition be without a good potatopeeling contest. That goes at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Island MLAs Peter Bevan-Baker and Brad Trivers are already confirmed to take part.

Tom Albrecht said the board also looked at trying to make the exhibition more affordable for families.

Adults will pay a gate admission of $8, but children 11 and under will be admitted free, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.