‘Thrilled to be back’: Old Home Week returns this week
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Chucky Kelly whistled loudly as he fastidiously assembled items of the merry-go-round on Aug. 9 on the Old Home Week grounds in Charlottetown.
Not even a gentle rain might douse his spirits.
“I really like this, I really like this life, I’m thrilled to be again,’’ the Saint John, N.B., native, a 15-year veteran with Campbell Amusements, informed SaltWire Community.
The halfway and Outdated House Week return this 12 months, Aug. 12-20, to the Provincial Exhibition following a two-year absence as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Rides and video games as soon as once more fill up the realm that normally serves as one in all two parking tons for Eastlink Centre.
“I’ve missed being out right here, I actually have,’’ Kelly stated. “I really like the whole lot about this job — the arrange, the tear down; I really like all of the individuals all of us meet and I’ve missed them. I’ve missed being with my (Campbell Amusements) household. However, I’ve actually missed making all the children glad.’’
That is the seventeenth cease on the summer season calendar this 12 months for Campbell Amusements. Kelly stated the reception they’ve been getting throughout central and jap Canada has been heartwarming.
“We’re a staple for households on the exhibitions and we really feel that on a regular basis, particularly this 12 months coming again.’’
Sandra Hodder Acorn, normal supervisor of Outdated House Week, stated she’s feeling a mix of aid and anxiousness.
“I’m grateful we’re returning to some type of normalcy after two years of the pandemic and grateful that households can get again collectively and revel in issues just like the halfway and the harness racing,’’ Hodder Acorn stated Aug. 9 as she supervised the arrange. “We’ve received slightly bit of tension going simply because we’re beginning up after two years. I imply, it’s been three years since we’ve arrange, so we’re going by reminiscence and many notes.’’
Hodder Acorn stated organizers are taking further public security measures with the anticipation of hundreds of individuals strolling round over the eight days.
“We purchased 15 new hand sanitizing stations to go together with what we had beforehand. We can even be doing enhanced cleansing of all frequent surfaces on a extra common foundation. Masks are inspired, however they don’t seem to be obligatory. And, there aren’t any capability restrictions in any respect.’’
Giant colored arrows can even be displayed on the ground directing individuals to particular areas of the exhibition in an effort to keep away from giant teams of individuals congregating.
As for occasions and actions, the whole lot that has been part of earlier exhibitions is again, together with livestock, youngsters’s leisure, 4-H and horse reveals.
“As a mother, I can’t wait to look at my children present within the beef present and within the 4-H present, to be within the area, do the mother factor and take numerous footage,’’ Hodder Acorn stated.
Harness racing
There will likely be three trials for the 63rd Gold Cup and Saucer race, with two happening on Aug. 13 and the ultimate one on Aug. 15.
The draw for the trials, which options 22 horses, was held Aug. 9 at Crimson Shores on the Charlottetown Driving Park. The highest three finishers from every trial advance to the $100,000 closing on Aug. 20.
Lee Drake, supervisor of racing and broadcasting for Crimson Shores properties in P.E.I., stated a few of the horses within the subject are on a degree Islanders are used to seeing, equivalent to Sintra, Laughagain Hanover, Twin B Tuffenuff.
Drake added the brand new $100,000 purse, up from $60,000 final 12 months, added some further incentive for horse house owners.
“It places it at one other degree,’’ Drake stated. “In the event you’re coming to compete right here it’s a must to convey you are A recreation. It was and continues to be the toughest race to win.
Fred MacDonald, who writes a harness racing column for The Guardian, stated there’s extra high quality within the three trials than in earlier years.
“Sintra is popping out of Toronto and was second in 1:50 flat the opposite evening,’’ stated MacDonald. “I adore it.’’
For perspective, the observe file in Charlottetown was set by Y S Lotus, which received the 2016 Gold Cup and Saucer in 1:50:1.
MacDonald’s son, James, the main driver in Canada, is coming to Charlottetown to drive Sintra.
MacDonald stated, as at all times, the climate will play an enormous consider whether or not the observe file falls.
“However, we’ve the sector to do it,’’ he stated.
The trials
Following are the submit positions for the three Gold Cup and Saucer trials, Aug. 13 and 15:
Trial 1, Aug. 13
1. Time to Dance
2. Bayfield Seashore
3. Merito Hanover
4. Best Notion
5. Bettim Once more
6. Beachin Lindy
7. Cadillac Bayama
8. Twin B Tuffenuff
Trial 2, Aug. 13
1. Legion Seelster
2. At all times B Candy
3. Main Hill
4. Sintra
5. Laughagain Hanover
6. Island Seashore Boy
7. Rotten Ronnie
Trial 3, Aug. 15
1. YS Mathis
2. Rhodena Highway
3. Lovemyrockinbird
4. Spectrum Seelster
5. Patrikthepiranha A
6. No Plan Meant
7. Batterup Hanover
