Sampling of Summerside
‘Choose Summerside’ showcases city full of options
A celebration of what Summerside has to offer – from freshly baked goods, merchandise, services, entertainment, fun, including a Second World War replica plane – had crowds hustle and bustle around the Credit Union Place on Saturday. Choose Summerside a campaign, by the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Summerside, provided the opportunity to explore what’s available in the city by walking around a room full of vendors.
“We sold out this year with more than 75 vendors,” remarked Vikki Lyttle, the program and events coordinator for Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce. “This is the second event of its kind, which has an open and friendly marketplace atmosphere for all to enjoy.”
Last year 1,200 people attended.
Atlantic Air Show was among those participating at the event and a Second World War Spitfire painted and named after John Stewart Hart, a Canadian Battle of Britain pilot, shadowed their booth.
“We had a 75-year-old grandmother get inside this plane because her father had flown a Spitfire in the Second World War and she was not leaving until she got her picture taken,” said Colin Stephenson, executive director of the air show. More than 100 Canadians are believed to have participated in the Battle of Britain.
“And very few of them flew Spitfires,” noted Stephenson. “But we found Hart from Sackville, N.B., and wanted to call his family and get permission to use his name on this plane. I called the family, and he answered…Hart was still alive at 99-years-old.
“I had a 10-minute conversation with this Canadian hero and he gave us permission to paint the plane in his colours, as well as name it, so this is his Spitfire on show today.”
The booth was set up to highlight the air show that will light up the Summerside sky on August 25 and 26, as well as gather corporate sponsors.
Other vendors included P.E.I. Newcomers, the Journal Pioneer, Skygate, RCMP, Explore Summerside, Atlantic Superstore, Samuel’s Coffee House, to name but a few.
“We’re with Newcomers to Canada and are bringing awareness to everyone of what we do, and to answer any questions that people have,” said Belinda Woods, a settlement worker. “And we like being a part of the community and meeting people that are here,” she added. Constables Sean Grant, Hope Rose, and Steve Monkley were also at the event.
“We’re here promoting the RCMP and hoping to recruit new members to join because there are many retiring at the moment, so we have a lot of spots to go across the country,” said Rose. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.