Happy Wednesday!

  ISLAND BRIEFS 

• Cases of COVID-19 are ticking upward across the Island. The province reported 1,070 new cases over the last week, up 32 per cent from the previous week.

• The three-day Cavendish Beach Music Festival returns tomorrow after a two-year hiatus. Organizers expect 25,000 people to visit the site each day. 

QUICK HITS

No more smoke stacks: Maritime Electric has submitted a site plan to the city for a new building that will house the utility's combustion turbine on the Charlottetown waterfront. The new building will be a major step toward decommissioning and demolition of the current plant, along with the iconic smoke stacks, that face Cumberland Street. Changes to the existing development plan must first be approved by the city. The utility would like to start construction this fall.

Airport shuttle service: Starting today visitors flying into Charlottetown will be able to catch a shuttle from the airport to select hotels in the city. The service, operated by Coach Atlantic, will cost $6 per person, or $20 per family. The service will operate until September 4. More information.

Torch Relay: A call for nominations to take part in the 2023 Canada Games Torch Relay is now open. Beginning in Borden-Carleton this November, the relay will visit 20 communities across the Island before reaching the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown for the opening ceremony on February 18, 2023. Check out this document for more information on the requirements and selection process.

Summerside Lobster Carnival: The Summerside Lobster Carnival kicked off yesterday. The five-day event, which has been a flagship program in the city since 1956, has a jam-packed line up this year with something for all ages and budgets. Admission to the grounds is by donation. Full schedule of events.

#IslandEdition

Lori Robinson (@spuddoc on Twitter), a 6th generation Island farmer, shared this beautiful picture of a potato field in North Tryon. Thanks, Lori!

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #IslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

BY THE NUMBERS

⬆️ 170k: PEI's population continues to grow, and is now within striking distance of 170,000 people. Quarterly demographic estimates released last month reports that PEI's population hit 167,680 people as of March 31. 

📊 1,349: The total population increase in the first three months of 2022 was 1,349 people, making it the strongest first-quarter for population growth since at least 2018. PEI typically sees its strongest population growths during the 2nd and 3rd quarters (April-September).

📈 10%: The Island's population has increased by just over 16,000 people, or 10.6 per cent, over the last five years, which is approximately the same as adding a second Summerside.

WHAT'S GOING ON? 

Wednesday

🎥 Official Competition @ City Cinema / 7:00PM: A wealthy businessman hires a neurotic director to produce his crowning achievement, a brilliant art film. Buy tickets | Watch Trailer

🎶 Richie Bulger and Brian Langille @ Olde Dublin Pub / 7:30PM

Thursday

🎥 Official Competition @ City Cinema / 7:00PM: A wealthy businessman hires a neurotic director to produce his crowning achievement, a brilliant art film. Buy tickets | Watch Trailer

🎶 Vintage 2.0 @ Olde Dublin Pub / 8:00PM

🎵 Dan Doiron @ Founders’ Food Hall & Market / 6:00PM

🎶 Reeny Smith & The Sanctified Brothers @ Under the Spire Music Festival / 7:30PM -More Info

🎵 The Fabulously Rich @ Trailside Music Hall / 8:00PM

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌧️ H17°C 🌡️ L13°C
Rain, heavy at times. Winds SSE 28km/h, gusting 52. Up to 30 mm in rain in places, wind gusts picking up throughout the day. 

Thursday

🌤️H22°C 🌡️  L14°C
Breezy to start with sun and clouds. Winds NNW 20km/h, gusting 59. Cloud cover increases throughout the day. UV index of 9, which is unhealthy.

THANKS FOR READING!