Contentious P.E.I. 2014 celebrations wrap up in Summerside
Year-long festivities met with some criticism over financing, Charlottetown-centric events
The sometimes controversial P.E.I. 2014 year-long celebration, marking the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, ended with a big party in Summerside on New Year's Eve.
The $450,000 event at Credit Union Place was the finale of the commemoration that began last New Year's Eve with festivities in Charlottetown.
Events throughout the year ranged from historic garden parties to a royal visit from Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as major concerts from pop headliners such as Shania Twain.
There was also Charlottetown's Celebration Zone with its 70 straight days of free activities and entertainment.
Others cried foul that P.E.I. 2014 organizers turned Charlottetown into party central, leaving other parts of the province deserted.
Penny Walsh McGuire, P.E.I. 2014's executive director, is quick to defend the spending and the success of the celebrations.
One of the major goals was to boost Island tourist traffic by five per cent this year, and that has happened.
Then, says Walsh McGuire, there's the less tangible achievements.
"2014 created an excellent opportunity for us to mark our important role in Canadian history and it also gave us an opportunity to celebrate who we are as Islanders and as Canadians."
Mayor 'thrilled' to host finale
The province is still waiting on polling data that asked people just how much historical awareness they actually gained from the year-long celebration. There will also be a full audit on all the P.E.I. 2014 spending.
But it says P.E.I. 2014 was a successful year of events that allowed the province to showcase what the Island had to offer and gave the tourism industry a springboard to move forward.
"I think we've learned so much in promoting our products," said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson at the final party.
"We've done a great job in the hospitality sector, so I think that knowledge that we've gained from 2014, we had a little extra money to invest in different items and events, so obviously we'll be focused on those that were more successful than some of the others and I think that's only going to grow the industry as we move forward."
Summerside Mayor Bill Martin says he was happy his city got to finish the party off.
"Charlottetown did get a lot of the events around 2014," said Martin.
The cold temperatures meant crowds outside were sparse, but fires and food kept warm those brave enough to stay outside for the live music, sleigh rides and fireworks.
Inside, however, a huge crowd enjoyed free family activities and busker performances.
The evening ended with a sold-out concert with headliner Burton Cummings.