Festivals, exhibitions cancelled

Festivals and exhibitions across the province, including the P.E.I. Provincial Exhibition (Old Home Week), have been cancelled for 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID19 strain) pandemic.

Robert Wood, president of the Prince Edward Island Association of Exhibitions, made the announcement on Monday.

"It's an annual homecoming like all the festivals are,'' says Wood, adding Old Home Week draws up to 100,000 people with just over one week of activities.

Also on the list of cancelled events are the Tignish Irish Moss Festival, the P.E.I.

Potato Blossom Festival, the Prince County Exhibition, the Northumberland Fisheries Festival, the Crapaud Exhibition and Tractor Pull, Kensington Community Harvest Festival, the Dundas Plowing Match and Agriculture Fair, L'Exposition agricole et le Festival acadien and the Eastern Kings Exhibition.

Included in the list of cancellations are the P.E.I. Youth Talent Competitions, which were held in association with various festivals and exhibition.

Wood said after lengthy discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Land, the PEIAE board of directors believes this action is essential to ensure the safety of volunteers, exhibitors and visitors to the events.

This decision was made based on compliance of the guidelines on "mass gatherings" set forth by Dr. Heather Morrison, chief public health officer for Prince Edward Island.

Since 1888, Islanders and visitors have come to Charlottetown to take part in the iconic Old Home Week.

Musical performances, animal acts, buskers, a large midway, livestock and agricultural shows are among the popular features.