P. E. I. plans yearlong celebration of role in Confederation
CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island is planning a yearlong party for 2014 to celebrate its role as the cradle of Confederation.
Canada’s smallest province wants everyone to know that’s where the idea of forming a country began: 2014 marks 150 years since the Charlottetown Conference, when the Fathers of Confederation met to begin planning what we would later know as Canada.
Leaders from P. E. I., New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and what are now Ontario and Quebec sat down on Sept. 1, 1864, and for the next eight days discussed the benefits of Confederation. Around the table were people such as Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Charles Tupper and Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley. When the delegates left the Island, they departed with a blueprint for Confederation, which became reality three years later.
Now, Islanders want everyone to help celebrate the anniversary and learn more about how the country was formed.
“It’s a huge celebration of P. E. I. and Canadian culture, 150 years in the making,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “The whole province will be celebrating with everything from major concerts, theatre festivals, ecotours, culinary events, sailing regattas, to the celebration zone in Charlottetown where you’ll find free entertainment for the whole family every day over the summer.”
In fact, there are more than 150 different events planned across the province during the year.
Penny Walsh McGuire is executive director of PEI 2014, a not- for- profit organization planning and co- ordinating events.
“It is a yearlong celebration that kicks off on Dec. 31, 2013, with a New Year’s Eve opening celebration — a family- friendly, free outdoor concert in front of Province House, right down Great George Street, with fireworks,” McGuire said.
Entertainment for the evening includes Rawlins Cross and the Island’s own Megan Blanchard. As well, the entertainers will perform the PEI 2014 theme song, Forever Strong.
Another highlight during the year is Canada Day 2014, which will include a daylong concert program featuring Canadian artists from across the country on the Charlottetown waterfront.
“P. E. I. will be the place to be in Atlantic Canada on Canada Day in 2014,” McGuire said.
Also on the waterfront, a celebration zone showcasing Island and Canadian culture will run from July 1 to Sept. 6 at Confederation Landing Park.
“We’re taking over the park with cultural programming like music, food tasting, a kids zone, heritage exhibits and art,” McGuire said.
Tall ships will be visiting Charlottetown and Summerside over the Labour Day weekend as part of Founder’s Week — paying tribute to when the Fathers of Confederation met in 1864.
That week will also include historic re- enactments.
“We’ve invested in developing and promoting these events, and all these events are a way to get an explanation of our history, our heritage and what made Prince Edward Island so special in the creation of this great country,” said Tourism Minister Robert Henderson. Henderson says there’s already been an increase in bookings for meetings and conventions on the Island during 2014.
The events continue until closing celebrations on Dec. 31, 2014, with the P. E. I. New Year’s Eve finale.