Page 134 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
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boutiques and eateries. Acadian infl uences Throughout the Island there are endless
Special Events are apparent here, as are Celtic ones. See other opportunities for visitors wanting a
the latter come to life at Great Scot!, a fresh-air fi x. Kayaking, paddleboarding,
JUNE
rousing summertime show featuring fi shing, birdwatching, horseback riding—
• FESTIVAL OF SMALL HALLS, PROVINCE-WIDE
bagpipe-playing, step-dancing, fi ddling the list goes on. Enjoy a DIY (do it yourself)
• TD PEI JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL,
and snare drumming that’s held at the activity or join one of Experience PEI’s
CHARLOTTETOWN
College of Piping and Celtic Performing group off erings to try unique alternatives
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
Arts of Canada (www.exploresummer like sheep herding or clam digging (www.
• INDIAN RIVER FESTIVAL
side.com). experiencepei.ca ).
• THE CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL
• VICTORIA PLAYHOUSE FESTIVAL, VICTORIA-
BY-THE-SEA THE GREAT OUTDOORS Quick Fact
• WATERMARK THEATRE SUMMER FESTIVAL, The famous local beaches aren’t just for
NORTH RUSTICO swimmers, sunbathers and sandcastle IN 1864, P.E.I. HOSTED THE
CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE, WHICH
JULY builders. For instance, the rare parabolic LED TO THE CREATION OF CANADA IN 1867.
• CAVENDISH BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL dune system in the Greenwich Dunes
• “MERMAID TEARS” SEA GLASS FESTIVAL, section of PEI National Park also acts as a
SOURIS stunning backdrop to an extensive trail HERITAGE AND CULTURE
• PEI BLUEGRASS AND OLD TIME MUSIC system complete with a fl oating boardwalk The Arts & Heritage Trail is an Island-wide
FESTIVAL, ROLLO BAY
that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll (www. guide for authentic P.E.I. cultural experiences
• SUMMERSIDE LOBSTER CARNIVAL
parkscanada.gc.ca/pei). with elements such as museums and historic
AUGUST Hikers and bikers alike love the P.E.I. sites, performing arts venues, special events,
• ISLAND FRINGE FESTIVAL, CHARLOTTETOWN
portion of The Great Trail—the Confederation theatres, galleries, craft shops and artisan
• OLD HOME WEEK, CHARLOTTETOWN
Trail—which stretches 435 km (270 mi.) studios (www.artsandheritagepei.ca).
• TYNE VALLEY OYSTER FESTIVAL
from Tignish in the west to Elmira in the To get a taste of Acadian culture, drop
AUGUST – OCTOBER east, and connects to the Island’s two entry by the Acadian Museum in Miscouche for a
• FALL FLAVOURS FESTIVAL, PROVINCE-WIDE
points. Ambitious cyclists can pedal it from history lesson; then head to Village Musical
SEPTEMBER end to end, while competitive ones can Acadien for traditional food and fi ddle
• PEI INTERNATIONAL SHELLFISH FESTIVAL,
enter the three-day GranFondo PEI event in tunes (www.museeacadien.org; www.
CHARLOTTETOWN
August (www.tourismpei.com/pei-cycling; villagemusical.ca ). Music is deeply
OCTOBER
www.granfondo-pei.ca ). embedded in their culture, and that joyful
• PEI MARATHON, BRACKLEY BEACH
Great golfi ng is also par for the course noise will be especially loud this summer
www.tourismpei.com/pei- on P.E.I.: after all, there are more than two as P.E.I. co-hosts the World Acadian
festivals-and-events dozen spots open to the public from May Congress (Congrès Mondial Acadien).
through October, and they are all within If you’re in the mood for Celtic music,
Although the City of Summerside is an hour’s drive of each other. The Links simply follow the provincial tourism
smaller than the provincial capital, it too at Crowbush Cove, Dundarave, and Mill board’s themed itinerary. Choices run from
has a bustling waterfront replete with River are among the premier picks casual ceilidhs to professionally-staged
indoor and outdoor theatres, interesting (www.golfpei.ca ). shows—or even summer studies pro-
grams—at the College of Piping and Celtic
KAYAKING • TOURISM PEI/STEPHEN HARRIS Performing Arts of Canada in Summerside
(www.tourismpei.com/pei-celtic-music ).
To learn more about the Island’s
Indigenous heritage, also be sure to visit
the Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre
or attend drum-driven powwows and other
related events held across the province
(www.lennoxisland.com/attractions/
cultural-centre; www.ncpei.com/events ).
MUST SEE, MUST DO
From Cavendish’s tourist-friendly strand
to the pristine dunes of Greenwich and
Basin Head’s silica-rich “singing sands,”
P.E.I. has a beach to suit every taste. Better
yet, they’re lapped by some of the warmest
waters north of the Carolinas (www.
tourismpei.com/pei-beaches).
Many shellfi sh fans call P.E.I. Canada’s
oyster capital because its prized Malpeque
