CRAPAUD EX OPENS FRIDAY
63rd annual Crapaud Exhibition begins Friday
The sight of antique engines, the smell of home cooking and the roar of modified lawn mowers will fill the air this weekend in Crapaud.
The sight of antique engines, the smell of home cooking and the roar of modified lawn mowers will fill the air in Crapaud beginning Friday.
The 63rd annual Crapaud Exhibition is happening until Sunday, shining the light on a variety of rural living.
Judging of 4-H classes kicks off things during the day on Friday, but the fun jumps into high gear that night with the G&G Amusement rides, a barbecue, official opening ceremonies and the P.E.I. Has Talent show. Julia Dunn will also perform.
“We’re going to have a kitchen party to start things off,’’ said Tom Albrecht, director of the exhibition’s board of directors.
“The performances will lead to food which leads into the opening ceremonies and P.E.I. Has Talent show.’’
Saturday is busy with sheep judging, children’s activities, agriculture awareness, 4-H dairy showmanship, food displays, blueberry pie competition, woodsmen competition and a sushi demonstration.
Sunday features barrel racing, pole bending and heavy horse pulls.
Albrecht says there is one big highlight for him that doesn’t appear on the list of things to see and do.
“Priority for this (exhibition) is the antique engines,’’ Albrecht said. “These guys have been an integral part of the Crapaud Exhibition for 27 years.’’
Antique engines are a passion for those who take part, so much so that they formed a group called the P.E.I. Antique Tractor and Machinery Association.
Wayne Newson, president of the association, said he and a small group of people who were collecting antique farm engines formed the association in 1989.
“They were used prior to electricity on the farm for sewing wood, crushing grain, pumping water . . . any job that had to be done you put a belt on one of those antique engines on a piece of machinery and they even ran washing machines at one point and time,’’ Newson said.
Now, there are three separate antique engine clubs in the province. They meet every month in Borden-Carleton, about 24 people from Wood Islands to West Point.
“The old generation really gets a kick out of it and that’s the satisfaction we get,’’ Newson said.
The clubs show their antique wares all over the province at different exhibitions.
Albrecht said the exhibition will feature a demonstration from the Charlottetown Radio Controlled Flying Club from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.