Why Avonlea Still Feels Like Home
Why, after all these years, does Avonlea still feel like home?
That was the question running through my mind when my sister Autumn and I discussed attending the first-ever Road to Avonlea Convention and reunion on Prince Edward Island – the home of L.M. Montgomery, the author whose stories inspired the timeless series (and the Anne of Green Gables miniseries that preceded the spinoff show).
To be honest, deciding to go was a pretty easy decision! Road to Avonlea (or simply Avonlea as we knew it on the Disney Channel) was a large part of our childhood. We began watching it as young kids in Maine, running free and wild like Sara and the King children, full of optimism and imagination, and finished the series amid major personal upheavals and family traumas as young teens. Through our most formative years, the show stood beside us like an old friend and a true kindred spirit. And it was always there waiting to be revisited whenever we needed it.
Avonlea was a beacon, a light as bright as Gus Pike’s lighthouse, guiding us to remember an important truth: every person matters. Every soul has a story of value, from the grumpy older man down the road to the unmarried schoolteacher and aunt, to the awkward, bumbling scientist, to the shy child sitting in the corner. In Avonlea, it’s okay to be a misfit! And it’s okay to dream. And it’s never too late.
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Of course, we also grew up immersed in Anne of Green Gables (both the books and the classic miniseries), alongside L.M. Montgomery’s numerous other novels. Montgomery’s worlds (including the adapted Road to Avonlea) were as real to us as if we had been there ourselves. We knew those places and those characters, and they influenced who we became. Or perhaps we were drawn to them because of who we inherently were. A bit of both, most likely.
Before traveling to Prince Edward Island (PEI) for the convention, Autumn and I rewatched all seven seasons of the beloved show. The series from Kevin Sullivan held up magnificently after all these years. It remains full of magic, imagination, kindness, and empathy, anchored by brilliant writing, acting, direction, beautiful period costuming, and an emotional musical score. Viewing it now, however, added a new layer of nostalgia.
Perhaps that was why Avonlea still feels like home: it reminded me of the young girl I used to be, loved ones who have since passed on, and even past relationships with family and childhood friends. It brought back feelings and memories long buried and forgotten, because it wasn’t just Road to Avonlea I was watching; it was also my own past, present, and future.
That is the magic of Road to Avonlea. It doesn’t matter what age you watch it because there is something there for every stage of your life. It may be a romanticized period drama, but its soul is full of authentic human connection. Children matter and are treated like equals. Adults matter. Misfits matter. Older adults matter. Everyone matters, and everyone is seen – even the town gossips!
RELATED: Anne of Green Gables (1985) Review – A Must See For Anne Fans Everywhere
Road to Avonlea doesn’t just bring you back to Avonlea; at least for me, it brings me back to myself. It’s also quite comforting to watch in today’s world of violence, division, and hustle.
Going Home to Avonlea
So, it was with that mindset of nostalgia and comfort that my sister and I traveled to Prince Edward Island (my very first time!) to join fellow fans for the first-ever RTA convention on PEI, organized by Fine Book Fairs.
What happens when a fictional place that has lived in your imagination for decades suddenly becomes part of the real world? And what happens when the people who helped create it are standing directly in front of you?
To put it simply: it’s enchanting.
I’ve met many creators, actors, and authors over the years, but Road to Avonlea (to me!) is extra special. And as someone who loves storytelling and the creative process, going behind the scenes and stepping from the fantasy world of fiction into the real world is simply like entering another portal. It’s all rather extraordinary.
And that’s what this whole event was for me: Magical, Inspirational, Motivational. Enchanting.
The reunion began on Friday, August 7th, at the historic Haviland Club in Charlottetown before moving to the Holman Grand for the weekend. I could write a traditional event review discussing logistics, schedules, food, and recapping everything from start to finish, but that would miss the point entirely. I’d rather talk about the feeling of it! That’s very Montgomery-esque, after all, to explore the emotions and even the special place of Prince Edward Island.
Autumn and I attended with Gold tickets (there were also Platinum and Silver, with different offerings), so this isn’t a comprehensive review of every experience at the convention. Rather, I’m sharing what we experienced and, more importantly, what the weekend meant to us.
The Power of Kindred Spirits
While attending the Road to Avonlea convention, I couldn’t help but feel how remarkable it was to be experiencing this amazing event alongside a group of kindred spirits. Everyone there attended because they love Road to Avonlea just as much as I do. And it was so lovely to talk and connect – not only with the guests who helped bring the series to life, but with all the fans!
It was very obvious, very quickly, that Road to Avonlea is a show that means a lot to many people from around the world. Some fans lived close by; others came from halfway around the world. And it has had a huge impact on people, including the cast and crew.
What surprised me most, however, was the number of younger people there! I assumed the majority would be fans in their 30s–50s who grew up with the series (and this did turn out to be accurate), but there were actually quite a few fans in their 20s and even a few children. Plus, you saw mothers and daughters together, husbands and wives, old fans, new fans, and more. It was incredible to see. And everyone was so nice!
On this trip, I think (or hope) we made beginnings of connections that will last a lifetime. And that’s beautiful. But sometimes finding kindred spirits for a single moment in time can be just as powerful, too.
The Haviland Club VIP Party – Meeting the People Behind the Magic
On Friday evening, we attended the VIP party at the Haviland Club. At the beginning, you could feel the anticipation amongst the fans. The atmosphere was electric – though it didn’t hurt that the weather was sweltering hot from dripping humidity – and we were all squeezed into the old-fashioned clubhouse! But it was all very cozy and adorable and vintage, the ideal setting for afternoon tea or a cozy book club gathering.
Our kind of place!
When the cast and creative team arrived, there were no formal announcements; everyone just started to mingle! Guests and fans had snacks, grabbed drinks, and shared warm conversations on equal footing. It was all very laid back and friendly. To escape the indoor heat, most everyone eventually made their way outside to the picnic tables and hung out there under the warm (but pretty) summer sky.
Connecting over a shared love of Avonlea made making friends much easier! The relaxed, friendly atmosphere made it comfortable to have genuinely authentic interactions, take photos, and connect with both the guests and other fans. Honestly, it was all so lovely.
Meeting the Cast and Crew
With the cast, creative talent, and crew, we heard amazing stories about making the show and had some deep conversations about life and art. We even flipped through a personal photobook of memories of Alex and Ryan Floyd (the twins who played Daniel King) with their father and Zachary Bennett (Felix), who also hadn’t seen the photos before.
We also had the opportunity to express our appreciation to screenwriter Heather Conkie, not only for her amazing work on Avonlea, but for her brilliant series The Way Home (we are huge fans!).
All in all, attending the party was such a beautiful experience. Afterward, I felt so motivated (spend a few minutes talking to Mag Ruffman, and you’ll understand!) and inspired and uplifted. Each of the guests was unique in their own way. They were witty, warm, grounded, motivational, funny, friendly, laid back, and deeply creative.
Meeting the guests and seeing who they were as people was just as inspirational and uplifting as watching Road to Avonlea. It was a night to remember, for sure!
Official Cast & Creative Guests in Attendance:
- Zachary Ansley (Arthur Pettibone)
- Maja Ardal (Clara Potts)
- Zachary Bennett (Felix King)
- Heather Brown (Izzy Pettibone)
- Lally Cadeau (Janet King)
- Ian D. Clark (Simon Tremayne)
- Heather Conkie (Screenwriter)
- David Ferry (Stuart McRae)
- John Friesen (Archie Gillis)
- Kyle Labine (Davey Keith)
- James O’Regan (Abner Jeffries)
- Mag Ruffman (Olivia King Dale)
- Ruth Secord (Costume Designer)
- John Welsman (Composer)
Bringing Avonlea Back to Life
Over the weekend, three major panel discussions took place: two featuring the cast and one dedicated to the behind-the-scenes creative team.
To say these panels were incredible is putting it mildly. The reunion was clearly as meaningful to the guests as it was to the audience (perhaps more!). The cast reiterated a few times that they did not know how much of an impact the show had on viewers until being there at the convention and meeting the fans, and how much that meant to them all these years later.
The panels were full of funny stories, interesting tidbits, and behind-the-scenes details, information on where everyone is now, but they were also full of emotion and tears and sharing fond (and even some tough) memories. There were a lot of tears in the room, for example, during the tribute to the late Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla Cuthbert). What a formidable force who seemed beloved by everyone!
During the panels, everyone was so open and authentic, and it helped bring Road to Avonlea back to life in a way for them and us.
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A couple of my favorite moments included the cast sharing their memories of Jackie Burroughs and screenwriter Heather Conkie beautifully (and tearfully) reading Hetty’s speech she wrote from “Memento Mori.” The cast also shared some hilarious stories like being stuck outside in period costume with potato flakes being blown in their face to mimic a snowstorm!
But instead of just sharing all my favorite bits (funny stories about horrible famous guest stars to memories of beloved actors who have passed away like Patricia Hamilton), you can check out all three panels for yourself, as they have been uploaded for anyone to listen to! I recommend watching, as the stories shared were truly special.
Besides attending the panels, friendships were being made, and the cast and crew continued to mingle with everyone in between: signing photos, taking pictures, eating lunch with everyone. It was truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime event. The sense of community was effortless and genuine, with so many people giving of their time.
While I could share the various conversations I had with other fans or with the guests or talk about it for hours, maybe that’s something we can keep for ourselves.
When Avonlea Meets Prince Edward Island
“You never know what peace is until you walk on the shores or in the fields or along the winding red roads of Prince Edward Island in a summer twilight when the dew is falling and the old stars are peeping out and the sea keeps its mighty tryst with the little land it loves.” — L.M. Montgomery
Beyond the convention itself, Autumn and I set out to explore the island. We enjoyed the cultured feel of Charlottetown, visited iconic Anne of Green Gables landmarks and Montgomery’s personal favorite places, the Seacow Head Lighthouse (which inspired the design of Gus Pike’s lighthouse), and Dalvay by the Sea (the real White Sands exterior).
We both fell in love with the island and finally understood L.M. Montgomery’s love for it. The red dirt roads, the dramatic cliffs, the peaceful walks… It really is a special place. Full article about these places to come…
While we did the “touristy” things, we also went off the beaten path and explored the island to experience the peace and beauty of it without the crowds. The Prince Edward Island that Montgomery loved – that was the island we wanted to experience. Thankfully, we did!
Lucy Maud Montgomery (in Anne of Green Gables) called PEI “the prettiest place in the world,” and it really is!
Why the Magic Endures
Although Road to Avonlea filmed most of the series in Uxbridge, Ontario, with additional exterior footage filmed on PEI, the period drama successfully captured the true feeling and essence of PEI.
The series remains an excellent example of filmmaking kismet and the longevity of storytelling, and of how one story can continue to inspire generations.
Road to Avonlea, based on Montgomery’s The Story Girl, The Golden Road, Chronicles of Avonlea, and Further Chronicles of Avonlea, lives on.
Related: Romantic Moment: Thomas and Kat in The Way Home – Fare Thee Well
When the right writers, directors, actors, and composers align, something special happens, and that feeling survives. The lasting effect it has had on so many people proves just how special this series is. Storytelling magic happened, and that’s why it continues to endure.
Road to Avonlea also lasts because the people who made it cared, the audience cared, and new audiences continue to find it and care. Plus, the values of the show still stand. Again, in Avonlea, everyone matters. Misfits matter. Children matter. Older people matter. Dreamers matter. Kindred spirits matter. You matter. I matter.
So why, then, does Avonlea still feel like home?
Prince Edward Island (or even Cavendish) is not Avonlea. The show isn’t “perfect.” But the values and emotions I felt as a young girl are still there. Returning to Avonlea helps me rediscover the child I was – the young girl full of imagination and dreams and strong values – while also recognizing the adult I’ve become and the trials I’ve experienced. Road to Avonlea (and L.M. Montgomery’s stories) is a part of who I am.
My sister and I discussed with Mag Ruffman at the Haviland Party how we were very much like Sara Stanley, the Story Girl, growing up (still are in a more adult way!). But the question remained: How much did Avonlea influence our perspective and who we are (it very much matches our values and independent thinking and the idea that everyone has a voice) as adults? Or was it that Avonlea just matched who we innately were and we were immediately drawn to it? Well, we all decided that it was a mix.
RELATED: L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (2016) TV Movie Review – A Cute If Underwhelming Adaptation
Returning to Avonlea helps you rediscover the child within, the child you were, while also allowing the adult you are now to see the story through an entirely new lens.
Ultimately, Road to Avonlea feels like a warm blanket, all cozy and safe. Watching the period drama series is like revisiting a favorite memory – and it’s still as wonderful as you remember it.
If you haven’t watched it yet, please do yourself a favor: Watch it! It’s the perfect antidote to today’s stressful world. Road to Avonlea is cozy, authentic, and one of the best romantic period dramas of all time. So, join in on the magic! We kindred spirits are always ready to welcome new kindred spirits into the group!
Need more convincing? Check out our complete series review of Road to Avonlea!
Who knows, if there’s another Road to Avonlea convention, you’ll discover the same feeling we did in connecting with fellow fans and experiencing the genuine warmth of meeting the Road to Avonlea cast, talent, and crew. And hopefully, we’ll see you there!
Not ready to leave Avonlea yet? Try these next:
- Kevin Sullivan Interview: Sullivan Talks the 30th Anniversary of ‘Road to Avonlea’
- Mini-Series Review: BBC’s Anne of Avonlea, A Forgotten Gem
- 85 Period Dramas to Watch If You Love Anne of Green Gables
- ‘Anne with an E’ Review – A Polarizing Adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s Beloved Novel
- Gazebo TV: The Best Way to Watch ‘Anne of Green Gables’
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