4 minute read

Residents share memories of Old Home Week

Old Home Week was a big deal in Andrews of Stratford resident Audrey Doherty’s family.

Every August, once the exhibition grounds were up and running and the livestock shows were in full swing, her whole family would pile into a rented car and make the trip into Charlottetown for the day.

There was a buzz of excitement amongst her and her siblings when the car reached St Peter’s Road and they could see the top of the Ferris wheel in the distance.

Once they arrived, they would spend the day watching races, horse jumping and other performances. After, they would go to the exhibition and go on their favourite ride, the merry-go-round. If they were really lucky, they would get a hotdog – a rare treat for Audrey in those days.

“That was pretty wonderful,” she said.

As she grew up, moved out and started her own family, Audrey continued the tradition of attending Old Home Week. She relished the opportunity to share the experience with her children.

“You’re so proud of them,” she said. “(They) were happy and we were happy.”

Audrey isn’t alone in having fond memories of Old Home Week. The annual summer fair has been a family tradition since it began in 1888, drawing thousands of people from across P.E.I. and beyond. For resident Janet Fraser, the equestrian events were always a major attraction.

Janet started going to Old Home Week approximately 50 years ago, around when saddled horse events became a regular feature.

An avid rider since age 14, she loved taking part in the competitions as both a participant and a spectator.

However, she recalls her first Old Home Week competition did not go as planned.

“I didn’t fall off, but man the horse certainly didn’t put on a real good show for anybody,” she said.

Janet’s connection Old Home Week was strengthened after her daughters were born.

“My daughter was very interested in the horse we had,” she said “We did finally get enough training into her and the horse so they could compete. ”

Wanda Ings, who also lives at Andrews of Stratford, attended the annual fair for 50 years.

She started going with her daughters, who both took part in the crafting and knitting competitions.

“It was interesting,” she said. “You won some, you lost some. You didn’t care. ”

In addition to the competitions, they would see the animals, go on rides and watch the Gold Cup Parade at the end of the week.

While her last Gold Cup Parade was in 2001, when her cousin was visiting from Denmark, Wanda continued going to Old Home Week up until 10 years ago. Since then, she’s started using a walker and now finds getting around the fair-grounds too difficult.

Old Home Week is on August 9 – August 17 at the Eastlink Centre & Red Shores Racetrack & Casino.

Sudoku

The object of the puzzle is to fill the remaining squares, using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3 × 3 subgrids

Community Cash 50/50

Weekly 50/50 draw in support of support not for profit groups including Murphy s Pharmacies Community Centre and the Holland College Athletics Department Anyone can play for just $2/week

This article is from: