Islanders invited to celebrate on Confederation Trail
Prince Edward Island’s tip-to-tip celebrations on the Confederation Trail will be part of more than 200 nationwide events to celebrate Canada's Great Trail and the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Celebrations will happen August 26 on Confederation Trail across the Island from Tignish to Souris (for a complete list visit https://thegreattrail.ca/celebrate). The celebrations have been facilitated by Island Trails and supported by Trans Canada Trail as part of Canada 150.
“The Confederation Trail provides wonderful recreational opportunities for Prince Edward Island, and August 26 will be the largest trail celebration we’ve ever had,” Island Trails board member Barb Trainor said. “From tip-to-tip, family oriented events will be held in 15 communities located along the Confederation Trail and I encourage all Islanders to join in the celebrations!”
The not-for-profit Trans Canada Trail Foundation has worked since 1992 to connect Canada with a trail network from coast to coast. In those 25 years the foundation has brought together donors, partners, governments, and volunteers across Canada to create the Great Trail, a network of more than 24,000 kilometres of trail offering a wide range of outdoor experiences on land and water routes.
Operated and maintained by the Prince Edward Island government, the 435-kilometre Confederation Trail is the historic remains of the Great Canadian Railway from 1989 and is now part of the nationwide Great Trail.
“As the proprietor of this historic trail system, government is pleased to see these celebrations connect our Island communities and promote active living,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald said. “Prince Edward Island may be small, but Confederation Trail is another story of why we are a mighty Island -- we surprise people with what we can do together and how much we have to offer here.”
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Media contacts:
Lucas MacArthur
Backgrounder:
Celebrations of Confederation Trail will be held August 26 in Alberton, Tignish, O'Leary, Summerside, Kensington, South Winsloe, Morell, St. Peters Bay, Souris, Elmira, Charlottetown, Hazelbrook, Stratford, Montague, Georgetown, and Murray Harbour. Events are listed below according to the time each begins.
9 a.m. – Summerside
(Bantam Marker on Water Street)
The event will provide a unique opportunity for Islanders and visitors to celebrate the significance of the Trans Canada Trail and linked trail systems within our community, adding to the quality of life within our community. Activities to include: commemorative tree planting, trail 5K run/walk, scavenger hunt, trivia event, and barbecue.
9:30 a.m. – South Winsloe
(Winsloe Lions Hall Campbell Road)
Come out and walk or bike the trail on Saturday morning August 26! Meet at the Winsloe Lions Hall to walk or bike on the Confederation Trail (rain or shine). Return to the Winsloe Lions Hall for live entertainment, food, and prizes. Hosted by Island Trails Inc.
10 a.m. – Alberton
(Gazebo on Confederation Trail, 11 Railway Street)
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Confederation Trail by the gazebo with a trainer present to lead warm up exercises for the walk, bicycle and run event. At the end of the event, snacks will be provided and there will be musical entertainment performed by Joey Doucette and Kurt Bernard. This is a free event and a limited number of t-shirts will be provided at registration.
10 a.m. – Morell
(Leo F Rossiter Park, 35 Riverside Drive)
To celebrate the Great Trail, we will hold a fun, family-friendly walk and run with multiple distances to suit all levels of participation. Free t-shirts to the first 50 participants who sign up. Social event with BBQ and refreshments provided as well as some prize draws.
10 a.m. – St. Peter’s Bay
(5890 Rte 2, Saint Peters Bay Campground)
To celebrate the Great Trail, our events will consist of walking and cycling, and will start and stop at the local campground. After the event we will gather at the campground for music, food and comrade of local trail users. A ceremony by municipal members will also take place.
10 a.m. – Souris and Elmira
(Main Street and Parkside Avenue)
Join us for this free event by walking, running, or biking from Souris to the Elmira Railway Museum, 457 Elmira Road – 22 km of beauty one way! Souris and Area Wildlife Association members will be on hand to highlight some interesting points along the trail. Meet on the grounds at the corner of Main Street and Maple, Souris (Old Farmers Market land) to enjoy a light breakfast snack of muffins, fruit, tea, coffee, juice, and then head out and enjoy the trail to Elmira Railway Museum (the end of the line) where you will be greeted with live entertainment, free miniature train and speeder rides, ice cream & blueberry sauce from 2 to 4 p.m. Elmira is the end of the line for the trail – there will be no shuttle service available. Bike rentals are available from East Coast Paddle at Souris Beach Gateway Park, 8 Main Street.
10 a.m. – Stratford
(Mt. Herbert Trailhead)
The event will begin at the trail head in Mt. Herbert. Join Cycling PEI recreational cycling event and experience Prince Edward Island's beautiful Confederation Trail. Event is for all ages and abilities. It will take participants through quaint communities and scenic parts of the Island. Included will be reception, food, refreshments, prize draws and a Bike Clinic provided by Cycling PEI.
10 a.m. – Montague
(1 Station Street)
This event will be a fun walk/run on the trail, with water stations set up along a 5 km and 10 km route. We will also have some great musical entertainment outside at the Montague Waterfront, at the end of the trail.
10 a.m. – Georgetown
(15 West Street)
The community will encourage youth in the town to go door to door and personally invite all 555, local residents, to join them for a trail, walk, bike, run, stroll, wheelchair ride, and then a picnic. We intend this to be the largest trail adventure picnic ever. The youth will also collect RSVP's to get as many individuals on the trail as possible. Transportation may also be available for those who may have disabilities. Family, friends and food on the great trail.
10 a.m. – Murray Harbour
(Station Lane Rail Head Park)
Join us for a parade down Main Street, bike decorating contest, runs, walks, and bike rides on the trail. Also, bike checkups, contests with prizes, music, cook out and corn boil, games and musical entertainment. All other events will take place in Rail Head Park, which is across the road from the start of the Trail.
Noon – Kensington
(Kensington Railway Station, 62 Broadway Street)
The event will include a 5 K walk/run/cycle and will end with a musical celebration at the Kensington Rail Yards directly adjacent to the trail. The celebration will include local performers and a free barbecue.
Noon – Charlottetown
(Charlottetown Orlebar Park)
This event will consist of a group dog walk beginning at the section of the trail behind UPEI travelling to Orlebar park. Once at the park we will enjoy live music, a healthy barbeque, and treats for the pups of course. Other elements of the event include an instant pup portrait photo-booth, face painting, and more.
1 p.m. – Tignish
(School Street Tignish Bicentennial Park)
Come and join us in the Tignish Bicentennial Park as we celebrate "The Great Trail Event" from 1 to 5 p.m. This event is to celebrate what the trails bring to our country as they connect us from coast to coast. There will be a free barbecue, balloon twisting, face painting, wagon rides, entertainment, and a chance to try out the new Splash Pad!
1 p.m. – O’Leary
(536 Main Street)
Join us for a family trail walk and hike adventure. Find and figure out clues placed along the trail; one clue will lead to the next and the next, eventually getting to the last clue that will guide you towards the Golden Nugget. The family that finds the Golden Nugget will be awarded a family weekend getaway. We will start at 1 p.m. with a kick-off barbecue, face painters, and balloon animals.