PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION (PNE)

Vancouver, British Columbia
by Susie Lee

The Pacific National Exhibition is the largest annual ticketed event in British Columbia! Every summer, an average of one million visitors attend the spectacular shows, exciting exhibits, sporting competitions, amusement rides, and celebratory concerts on the fantastic fair grounds of the PNE! With so many shows and attractions, here are just some of my favorites

THE SUPERDOGS SHOW

The Superdogs show is the most popular attraction at the PNE, entertaining an average of 250,000 guests each year. No visit to the PNE would be complete without attending this show.

The show began with big, bright spotlights focused on the superdogs and their trainers dancing to Mexican Fiesta music! The crowds applauded as the trainers enthusiastically interacted with their dogs and in return the host, Chase, spurred the audience to cheer louder for their teams. The energetic atmosphere pumped everyone up as the adorable dogs ran through obstacle courses, caught Frisbees in mid air, displayed their high jumping skills and wooed the audience with their charisma. These talented four-legged creatures never failed to bring me back every year! A huge round of applause to the trainers and to the superdogs for a show filled with heart and fun!

THE CANADIAN FREE STYLE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

I sat in the bleachers among hundreds of spectators watching Canada's top freestyle motocross riders go head to head in a round robin style competition. Judges award points to the riders after each show and tally them up on the last day of the Fair to announce the winner. Riders performed death defying jumping tricks with colorful names like the heart attack and lazy boy. They flipped their bikes, lunged their bodies over the handle bars, they stood on their seats and they landed safely on their two tires. Mastering these stunts didn’t come without a price. As I spoke to the riders, many of them shared their countless injuries and broken bones during their training After seeing their battle scars, I'm keeping the training wheels on my bike.

Before the show, I had the opportunity to talk with Regan, the 2004/2005 Motocross champion and with Jeff Fehr, the 2003 Motocross champion. In their earlier years, they admit they had a natural skill and passion for the sport. They had fun doing tricks and creating new stunts. When the champions are not at the PNE, they are touring around the world. These guys have become a band of brothers as they ride, travel and live together. The Motocross Championship will definitely have you in awe as the fearless riders literally risk their lives to entertain the audience at every show. This is definitely a “must see” event at the fair.

THOSE LITTLE DONUTS

Homer Simpson isn't the only fanatic when it comes to donuts. I had the honor to talk with Steve Johnson, the owner and operator of my favorite childhood snack, Those Mini Donuts. During the start of Disneyland, inventors made mini donuts to sell to the public to promote certain cartoon characters. This was not as successful as they had hoped which resulted in surpluses of the donut making machines. Steves's father then decided to buy a number of these machines and introduced them to fairs. The mini donuts successfully took off and the rest is history. Today there is nothing more synonymous with the PNE than these tasty treats. Each year at the fair, Those Little Donuts go through about 40 tons of donuts mix.I still find it fascinating to watch the little donuts being made in front of me as I place my order. My sweetest congratulations to Steve as he celebrates over 40 years of making 'Those Little Donuts.'

FINAL THOUGHTS

Although I grew up in Vancouver and have attended the PNE almost every summer, I still find it a real treat to keep revisiting this fair every year. Like many British Columbians, attending this event has become one of my favorite summer traditions. I just never get tired of the fun and festive atmosphere the PNE has to offer.

FUN FACTS

• In 2007, “The Those Little Donuts” booth sold a record of 2.25 million donuts.
• Each year, the PNE employs about 2,800 seasonal employees.
• 36,500 cotton candy sold during the PNE
• 22 dumpster loads of animal dung take away from the PNE

ADVENTURE TIPS

The PNE is usually a 17 day fair held from mid August to early September.

Buy tickets online at the PNE website and SAVE time at the gates and SAVE off the regular gate price. You can also save by purchasing your admission ticket at certain Lower Mainland retailers listed on the PNE website listed below.

Plan your day based on the times of the shows. The schedule for the shows is usually posted online at the PNE website.

Attractions and shows change yearly, check the website for the latest at the PNE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Pacific National Exhibition
2901 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
PNE Switchboard: (604) 253-2311
PNE Group Sales: (604) 252-3663
www.pne.ca

+ Part 1: PNE (part 1)
+ Part 2: PNE (part 2)

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ Pacific National Exhibition