Provincial Heritage Fair

The PEI Provincial Heritage Fair Planning Committee invites schools to register for the PEI Provincial Heritage Fair.

Online School Registration Now Open

What is the Provincial Heritage Fair program?

The PEI Heritage Fair program is a student-centered, inquiry-based learning opportunity that allows students in grades 5 to 12 to explore a Prince Edward Island or Canadian history topic of interest. Students select a topic, decide on a key inquiry question, complete research, and summarize findings in a format of their choice. 

Students may present their research findings at a school-level fair with the chance to be promoted to represent their school at the Provincial Heritage Fair. 

For many young students, the Heritage Fair program is an introduction to history and an opportunity to investigate personal or community histories by drawing on community resources. The PEI Heritage Fair Program has been a staple in Island schools since 1997.

When is the next heritage fair?

The next Provincial Heritage Fair will take place on April 30, 2026, at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. 

What is the deadline to register?

Schools may register now for the PEI Provincial Heritage Fair. The deadline is December 12, 2025. 

Online School Registration Now Open

If your school has not participated in the past five years, you are eligible to apply for a Heritage Fair Community Grant (see below).

What are other important dates?

• Schools must submit a school project list by April 2, 2026
• Schools must submit student project registration/permission forms by April 9, 2026 

The planning committee will contact school reps in January 2026 with further details about student project registration, resources, and participation guidelines. Each school will also be advised of the number of student project spaces allocated for the Provincial Heritage Fair.

What happens at the Provincial Heritage Fair?

The fair is a full-day event that showcases and celebrates students’ achievements in historical inquiry. Attendees can view a display of student projects, while judges evaluate the entries and award theme-based prizes. The day wraps up with a closing ceremony. Participating students receive swag bags, enjoy a complimentary lunch and participate in heritage-themed workshops during the afternoon. The public is welcome to visit in the afternoon, providing students with the opportunity to share their findings.

Finalists are invited to participate in the Canada’s History Heritage Fair National Showcase. By highlighting diverse historical topics and encouraging rigorous research and inquiry, this national showcase recognizes student achievements and promotes a greater understanding of Canada's rich history and heritage. 

How does the Heritage Fair program tie into PEI curriculum?

Through guided inquiry-based learning, students are encouraged to think critically about history and its implications, acquire a sound understanding of the discipline, and become more engaged in studying history. The grade 5 study of past societies and the grade 6 focus on Island History align well with the program. It also connects directly with the grade 7 and 8 social studies curriculum in the study of Canadian History. 

Students develop their Heritage Fair projects in the classroom, producing a written report, a visual display and an oral presentation. Project formats may include traditional backboard, digital presentations (such as PowerPoint), audio-visual components, student-created websites, performances or other creative visuals such as dioramas.

Resources

See links under RESOURCES for more information

Awards

Download list of 2025 award recipients, including special prizes sponsored by community organizations

Photo Gallery

To view the album from the 2025 Provincial Heritage Fair, visit Flickr.com.

Contact

Sarah Bulman
Provincial Heritage Fair Coordinator
3rd floor Shaw Building, 95-105 Rochford Street
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Telephone: 902-368-5940
Fax: 902-894-0342 fax
Email: sarahbulman@gov.pe.ca or heritagefair@gov.pe.ca