How to make the most of levee day on P.E.I.

On levee day Andrew Sprague is partof what he refers to as "a bunch of hosers riding around on a bus," or as they are more formally known, the Secret Levee Society.

The group, which has been aroundfor about eight years, consistsof about 15 core members. They rent abus on New Year's Day and attend 14 to 17 levees.

Sprague, who is one of the group's five"founding fathers," said levees are an opportunity to catch up with people who are home for the holidays, to "get your face in front of the powerful" people like the premier, mayors, and others and to "enjoy a good time."

He shared his advice for making the most of the day.

1. Make a plan

Sprague and the other founding fathers meet a few days before to go over their plan for the big day.

This year, he said, the bus will pick him up around 9:50 a.m., and the group will go to the lieutenant-governor's levee, and then on to Charlottetown city hall to the mayor's levee. After that, there will be a "smattering of levees all over."

On thelist are the P.E.I. Regiment, HMCS Queen Charlotte, UPEIandthe Benevolent Irish Society. He said the group tries to make it to the premier's levee, but the line is often quite long.The day ends at theCharlottetown Firefighters Club, which "provides a little burst of energy at the end of the day. It's great fun."

"Use your first year to figure out what levees you enjoy going to the best and to try and figure out a strategy to get to as many levees as you can, if that's what you want to do," he advised.

Sprague refers toPeterRukavina'slist of leveesas an important planning tool.

2. Take a break

The Secret Levee Society isn't a secret society, said Sprague. Instead the name refers to a "secret levee" the group holds to take a break from the official levees.

The group picks a place that already serves food and drinks. In the past it's been held at pubs like GahanHouse and Churchill Arms.

"We kind of stop off at the secret levee, have a little break from the regular levees and then get back on the road and keep on leveeing," he said.

"Also don't drink too much right off the bat," he laughed. "That can make for a long day."

3. Don't miss Stratford

For the past six years, the group has appointed one levee "levee of the year," and Stratford Town Hall's leveehas won the title threetimes. Sprague said it's not to be missed.

"They put on an incredible spread of food, and let's just say the wine pours freely in Stratford. It's always a turning point for our group."

He warns that it's well attended, so it's best to get there early to avoid the crowds.

4. Go easythe night before

New Year's Eve isn't as big as the day after for members of the Secret Levee Society, said Sprague.

"Ever since we started doing this, New Year's Eves have sort of gotten a little quiet," he said. "Everybody wants to be fresh on that bus. They've got a big day ahead of them. They have to have lots of energy."

If you are going out on New Year's Eve, he recommends having a good meal, going to bed early and having a good hot shower before heading out to the levees.

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