Summer Getaway: Prince Edward Island

SummerFest (June 30-July 4)The Island’s newest festival has something for every member of the family. For the younger kids, there’s a petting zoo, performances by the Doodlebops (a pre-school musical favourite), and a Swash Buckler Pirate Zone that features a haunted house. For teens, there’s the the Fringe Urban Zone with daily skateboard and BMX competitions. There’s a three-on-three hockey tournament on a synthetic ice surface, as well as the West Coast Lumberjack Show complete with log rolling. Plus a unique Cirque du Soleil performance that can only be seen in Charlottetown. In fact, Cirque signed a three-year contract this year to play at SummerFest. If you can’t make it to the show, you can catch Cirque du Soleil performers on Great George Street for free.

Once in a Lifetime ExperiencesHave you ever boarded a fishing boat and headed out to sea to catch and cook your own lobster, tasted seaweed pie or tonged for oysters? Well, now you can. Tourism P.E.I.’s Once in a Lifetime Experiences program offers more than 70 different experiential tourism adventures for those wanting, and willing, to get their hands dirty while immersing themselves in authentic P.E.I. culture. If seafood isn’t your thing, other programs include learning how to build a wind chime, creating folk art out of recycled scrap metal with the help of a master craftsman, and making your own pinhole camera.

Hitting the linksP.E.I. is consistently ranked one of the top golf destinations on the continent. In fact, there are more than 20 courses within 45 minutes of each other, including the breathtaking and challenging Links at Crowbush, which overlooks the dunes of the north shore near Morell, as well as the Dundarave and Brudenell River courses near Georgetown. Cavendish Beach Music Festival (July 7-11)Only in its second year, this five-day outdoor music festival is picking up some serious steam. Headliners this year include country superstars Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. And don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and beachwear. The concerts take place just minutes from beautiful Cavendish beach on the Island’s northern shore. Five-day passes start at $271 for adults and $105 for children between the ages of 6 to 12.

To see what Michael Smith picks as his favourite spots, go to Where famous Canucks go to play

For more information on events and travel in Prince Edward Island, see www.tourismpei.com

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