About the Gold Cup Parade
The Gold Cup Parade is the largest parade east of Montreal. Every year the Parade attracts entries from businesses, communities and organizations from across the Maritimes; multiple marching bands from the Maritimes, Quebec and, occasionally, from the United States, as well as numerous horse, antique car and clown entries. The Parade also features the much-loved huge cold air-filled balloons brought from Windsor, Ontario.
As the Parade has grown, so have the spectators, to where it is now estimated that close to 60,000 spectators line the streets of Charlottetown to participate in the “Great Island Tradition” plus the viewers of Eastlink TV across PEI and Nova Scotia. The Gold Cup Parade generates increased business activity in service industries, including hotels, restaurants, service stations and retail establishments. As well, our parade is an Island mainstay that contributes to “Islanders’” pride and sense of tradition.
The Parade Coordinator is Charlotte Nicholson.
Steering Committee
Ray Murphy, Chair
Lee Drake
Jennifer Evans
Danny Murphy
Tanya O’Brien
Organizing Committee
Zack Bell
Debbie Doucette
Jenna Doucette
Albert Kays
Heather MacAulay
Sheryl MacAulay
Dylan McKee
Jacki Murphy
Paul Murray
Jonathan Mosher
Shannon Munn
Ben Parsons
Vanessa Smith
Derek Tweel
History
The Gold Cup and Saucer Race (1960) and The Gold Cup Parade (1962) were founded by Frank Acorn and Bill Hancox for the purpose of:
- Reviving Old Home Week which, prior to 1960, was beginning to lose audience appeal
- To focus attention on P.E.I.’s harness racing industry, while providing an exciting type of entertainment for both Islanders and summer visitors
The Parade has been held every year since that time, and has become one of the feature events of the summer season on the Island.
In the early days, the organization was a loosely knit group of businessman who assisted the Charlottetown Driving Park in putting together the parade.
But as the parade grew, it became a totally separate organization with the sole purpose of presenting the Gold Cup Parade as one of the premier events of Old Home Week. In 1986, the group incorporated as a not for profit company under the name The Charlottetown Parade Committee Inc. and owns the name The Gold Cup Parade.
The organization is currently run by a volunteer board of directors from local businesses. The Chair of the Gold Cup Parade Committee is Ray Murphy of Murphy’s Pharmacies.
Awards
2024 Award Categories and Winners
Most Memorable
Sponsored by ADL
ProColor Collision Charlottetown
Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
RE/MAX
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Havenwood Studios
Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
Charlottetown Mitsubishi
Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by YYG Airport
Chinese Society of PEI
Best Band
Sponsored by Island First Aid
Community Clash band
2023 Award Categories and Winners
Most Memorable
Sponsored by YYG Charlottetown Airport
Pinette Raceway
Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
Rush: Bahamian Culture
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Hansen Solar Energy
Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
City of Charlottetown
Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by ADL
Chinese Society of PEI
Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Community Clash Band
2022 Award Categories and Winners
Most Memorable
Sponsored by RBC
Bernadette’s Flowers
Most Energetic
Sponsored by Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
Rush: Bahamian Culture
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Steel Heels Automotive Service & Repair
Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
RE/MAX
Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by ADL
Community Clash Band
Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Burlington Teen Tour Band
2019 Award Categories and Winners
Most Memorable
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Dreams Take Flight
Most Energetic
Sponsored by ADL
Ocean 100
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by RBC
Charlottetown Mitsubishi
Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Parks Canada
Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
Whisperwood Villa
Best Band
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
14 Wing Band
2018 Award Categories and Winners
Most Memorable
Sponsored by RBC
PEI Regiment
Most Energetic
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by McDonald’s
Love Me Fish and Lobster
Best Presentation of Gold Cup Parade Theme
Sponsored by Domino’s Pizza
DP Murphy
Judges’ Choice
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Parks Canada
Best Band
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Clash Band
2017 Award Categories and Winners
Most Outstanding
Sponsored by RBC
Dreams Take Flight
Most Humorous
Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Bernadette’s Flowers
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Green Isle Helicopter Tours
Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Dominos
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI
Best Commercial Group
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Buttercup Jerseys
Best Band/Majorette Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Belfast Pipe Band
2016 Award Categories and Winners
Most Outstanding
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Northumberland Ferries
Most Humorous
Sponsored by Dominos
Ocean 100 with Kirk and Kerri Wynn and Scott
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
Buttercup Jerseys
Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Shriners
Best Commercial Group
Sponsored by Grant Thorton
Parks Canada
Best Band/Majorette Group
Sponsored by RBC
RCMP
2015 Award Categories and Winners
Most Outstanding
Sponsored by Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
Charlottetown Privateers
Most Humorous
Sponsored by Dominos
Ocean 100.3
Best First Time Entry
Sponsored by Canadian Tire
West Royalty Softball Association
Best Volunteer/Service Group
Sponsored by Coach Atlantic
Sherwood Parkdale Lions Club
Best Commercial Entry
Sponsored by City of Charlottetown
Island Abbey Foods
Best Band
Sponsored by CAT
College of Piping
Previous Parades
2024 Gold Cup Parade – A world of Colour
2023 Gold Cup Parade – An Island Summer
2022 Gold Cup Parade – Celebrating Parades of the Past, Present, and Tomorrow – 60 Years of the Gold Cup Parade
2019 Gold Cup Parade – Vive l’Acadie
2018 Gold Cup Parade – P.E.I.’s Got Talent
2017 Gold Cup Parade – Canada, Eh!
2016 Gold Cup Parade – Everything PEI
2015 Gold Cup Parade – The Year of Sport
2013 Gold Cup Parade – The Parade of Heroes
2012 Gold Cup Parade – Bringing the Farm to the City
Gold Cup Parade Committee
P.O. Box 67
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7K2