Summerside, Prince Edward Island is throwing a free concert on Friday, July 17, 2026 to celebrate 150 years of harness racing in the community. The show, featuring Tragically Hip tribute band The Fabulously Rich, takes place at the Veterans Convention Centre as part of Raceway Days during the Summerside Lobster Carnival. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the music starts at 9:00 p.m., with no admission charge.
The City of Summerside says this year’s milestone makes Raceway Days extra special. Mayor Dan Kutcher called it “a celebration of who we are as a community.” He added, “Marking 150 years of harness racing is an incredible milestone, and this event brings together our history, our people, and our spirit in a way that residents and visitors alike can truly enjoy.”
The first harness race in Summerside happened on October 24, 1876 at the original Trotting Park in Travellers Rest, according to historian Jean MacKay’s research. That makes the track at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway the oldest continuously operating harness racing track in Canada, widely believed to be the oldest in the country. The 2025-2026 season was the most successful in the history of Red Shores, with total wagering across both its Charlottetown and Summerside tracks topping $10.2 million for the first time, a 14 per cent jump over the year before.
The Fabulously Rich formed in Charlottetown in 2016, paying tribute to The Tragically Hip and frontman Gord Downie. The band is led by P.E.I. singer-songwriter Dennis Ellsworth. The concert is one of many events during Raceway Days, which runs July 15 to 18 and includes live racing, the Governor’s Plate final, midway rides, food, and family activities.
The Veterans Convention Centre is located inside Credit Union Place at 511 Notre Dame Street, right next to the raceway at 55 Greenwood Drive. More details on the full Raceway Days schedule can be found through the Summerside Lobster Carnival.
