Rollin' down the highway smilin': Visitors keep comin' to the Stompin' Tom Centre

The community development group behind theStompin' Tom Centre in Skinners Pond, P.E.I.says the attraction is exceeding expectations.

There's a steady stream of visitors to the remote area of P.E.Ieachday, so many they've had to add more dinner-theatre shows andplan to stay open a month longer, till the end of September.

"We had people that just didn't think it was going to happen in rural P.E.I.," said Anne Arsenault, general manager of Tignish Initiatives and the Stompin' Tom Centre.

"We're happy," she said. "It's great to see the support for the centre here."

The dinner theatre started with two shows a week, but with hundreds of people coming daily,it's now been bumped up to four each week and there are still waiting lists.

"It's great for the area, great for the region," saidArsenault.

'It's a legacy forStompin' Tom'

This is the second summer for thecentre the propertyfeatures the centre, theSkinners Pond school house, andthe homestead where Stompin' TomConnorslived.

Thecentre hasa restaurant, dinner theatre, gift shop, as well asinteractive displays and a museum highlightingConnors' life andachievements.

TignishInitiatives spent decades developing the idea and securing funding for it.

"It's a legacy forStompin' TomConnors," saidArsenault.

Connorswas born in Saint John, N.B., and placed in the care of Children's Aid when he was eight years old.

He was later adopted by a family in Skinners Pond and gained fame after he ran away at13 andhitchhiked across the country performing his own songs.He wrote hundreds of tunes.

ArsenaultmetStompin' Tom and said he had a lot of input into what the centre would be like.

"He really had a huge heart and loved Skinners Pond," she said.

"Overwhelming"

Chad Matthews plays Stompin' Tom in the dinner theatre, and sayshe's amazed at people's reaction to the show and the centre.

"It's prettyoverwhelming actually," he said.

"I'm trying to portray him the best I can he was a great person for Canada," said Matthews.

He said he's been playing and listening to Stompin' Tom's music since he was a kid.

"Every song that Tom wrote and played, told a story you don't get that a whole lot now."

'Dream come true'

Visitors come from all over Canada and officials with the centre saythey see international visitors too.

"It's a dream come true for me, I was a huge fan of his,"said Greg Prevost, visiting from Ontario.

During an afternoon concert, Prevostgot up on stage to sing too.

"I was emotional and nervous," he said.

Eight-year-old Chelsea Calic, also from Ontario, saysshe loves watching videos of Stompin' Tom.

"I am here because I'm a huge fan," she said.

Plans to Expand

The success means plans are underway to expand the tourist attraction for next year.

Arsenaultsaid they are looking at creating a picnic area, adding a micro brewery to the site and promoting the venue as a wedding destination.

"We never stop planning for the future," said Arsenault.

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