Since the early 1960s, the Gold Cup and Saucer Race has been considered one of the most celebrated harness racing events in Eastern Canada. Each August, as a culmination of Old Home Week, the fastest horses and most skilled drivers compete in 15 racing programs in nine days.
Every summer, a little history is added to Gold Cup night, as the Island Hymn is played and the crowds focus their attention on the horses and drivers approaching the field. Both horse and driver are introduced to the packed crowd, then make their way to the grandstand. At exactly two minutes to midnight, the call to the post is heard, and horse and driver get ready to compete in the Gold Cup and Saucer Race, one of the most anticipated shows in harness racing.
Celebrate the continuation of one of our most exciting traditions by going out with friends and family to cheer on your favourite horse and driver in the Gold Cup and Saucer Race.
For complete racing information, please visit redshores.ca
View the Gold Cup Race live stream redshores.ca/racing/live-video-stream
The Gold Cup and Saucer Parade has been in existence since 1961.
The is the largest street parade east of Montreal and is much more than a summer-morning tradition in Charlottetown. With tremendous support from Islanders celebrating our traditions and community spirit, the Gold Cup and Saucer parade is a great sample of the excitement everyone can anticipate for the Gold Cup and Saucer race to follow the next evening. What a way to celebrate the upcoming race!
Each summer, more than 60,000 onlookers line the streets of downtown Charlottetown, enjoying the streams of floats, marching bands – some with drums and bagpipes, and some with brass – as well as the fun-loving clowns, balloon displays, children’s performers and the ever-popular vintage cars.
Scores of volunteers design and build floats on which they wave and dance and greet the crowds. Amongst the audience, the biggest smiles will be found on the faces of the children while they watch wide eyed with excitement and enjoy waving back to everyone in the parade.
The Gold Cup and Saucer Parade is a testament to the enthusiasm displayed by locals to honour the time old traditions which encompass the entire spirit of celebration each year during Old Home Week.