The new Legendary Stompin ' Tom Connors Center opened on July 1, 2017 at 2 pm. The long awaited center was built in tribute to Canada's country music legend, who passed away in 2013 and left an incredible life legeacy in written songs about Canada. He wrote hundreds of songs about many cities from British Columbia to Newfoundland and other novelty songs like The Hockey Song, Bud the Spud, Margo's Cargo and many, many others.

Stompin Tom an orphand from Saint John, NB was adopted by Russell Aylward in Skinner's Pond, PEI, as a young child where he went to school and worked as a youngster for a few short years, leaving the Alyward family at 15 years old and hitchhiked across the country writing and singing his music.

The new impressive center is a site to behold, including a music and live theatre, the renovated schoolhouse where Tom went for a few years, the renovated Alyward home and barn.

On Friday, June 30 a preview sold-out night was held with a song circle and Jam session with rave reviews hosterd by music artist Cory Gallant from Bloomfiled, PEI.

July 1 arrived, with the opening ribbon cutting, commemoration, a free open house and a major concert in a big tent. The music artists included, Small Town Jokurs, Miike Plume, fiddler Billy MacInnis from PEI, Tim Hus from Alberta, Dave Gunning and JP Cormier from Nova Scotia.

What an incredible event where Premier Wade MacLauchlan of PEI, Hon Robert Morrissey, MLA Gov Canada Member from West Prince, Hal Perry, MLA PEI Gov Member for West Prince & several others including Anne Arsenault form Tignish who is Executive Director of Tignish Initative, helped cut the ribbon for the incredible center. AS well the Governor of PEI, Hon H. Frank Lewis arrived to take part in the event.

All 15 members of the Connors family were present to take part in the eventful event.

Celebrations continue, Sunday, July 2 with Stompin' Tom Fest with music all afternoon into the evening.

Following are Photos by Eric McCarthy of The Summerside Journal P.E.I.

Ribbon Cutting Opening Cermony	Stompin' Tom Jr. Presents Plaque to The Founders of The Stompin' Tom Center	Small Town Jokurs Performing From Tignish at the July 1 Concert
JP Cormier and Dave Gunning from Nova Scotia Performing at the Center July 1, 2017