The ferris wheel at the PNE is great fun and offers a spectacular view of Vancouver. Photo by Sheri Radford
One day is definitely not long enough to experience the Pacific National Exhibition (Aug. 21 to Sep. 6), which is putting on a bigger spectacle than usual to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The 46-hectare (114-acre) site at Hastings Park is bursting with rides, midway games, agricultural displays and the PNE prize home. Local legend Dal Richards brings his big band to the fair—for the 71st time. Despite being in his 90s, Richards does two shows a day. Other musical enticements include an opening concert with Bryan Adams and The Beach Boys (Aug. 21), plus free nightly concerts by folks such as Michael Bolton (Aug. 23), Wayne Newton (Aug. 26) and Cyndi Lauper (Sep. 3). See the Peking Acrobats, RCMP Musical Ride, sandcastle contest, nightly pyrotechnics show and the adorable Superdogs, performing feats that put the average Fido to shame. Permeating it all is the mouth-watering aroma of Those Little Donuts—bet you can’t eat just one. On the night before the fair opens, an anniversary parade through the streets of Vancouver kicks everything off, with 12 giant parade balloons and more than 2,000 participants.—Sheri Radford
Stay, Dine, Do
