PNE fair programming announced

Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition has unveiled the upcoming fairgrounds programming for its 114th year of operation.

Organizers at the PNE say the 2024 season has brought a number of changes to the layout of the Fair in East Vancouver, including the opening of a state-of-the-art rollercoaster in the Playland amusement park and the construction of a new outdoor ampitheatre, set to open in 2026.

“It’s a summer tradition that signified the fun-loving spirit of our province, and for the PNE, it’s an opportunity to provide more fun, more play, every day,” said CEO Shelley Frost, president and CEO of the PNE.

This year, in addition to family-favourite activities like the Superdogs show, the PNE is also debuting daily music in the park.

“Each week, we have an expanded cultural mosaic of performers and special guests, and on that stage can end their day with a big bang with a pyro music performance, remix inferno,” she said.

Frost says on Saturday, we will finally learn the name of the new amphitheatre that will host a variety of music and culture events. Thousands of votes were submitted, with names including the Freedom Mobile Amp, Arch, Rise or Place.

She says due to construction, major concerts have moved to the stage at the Pacific Coliseum.

“And this year, your fair admission is included with your summer net concert ticket,” Frost said Thursday.

Canadian legends Barenaked Ladies, Gerry Dee, Colin James, and Winnipeggers Bachman Turner Overdrive and Burton Cummings, as well as new Canadian talents Charlotte Cardin and Scott Helman, are scheduled to play the PNE. 

Other acts include John Fogerty, Brad Paisley, The Pointer Sisters, Flo Rida, Blue Rodeo, Ludacris, Vanilla Ice, and a Punjabi Virsa night.

The PNE will host an Indigenous festival from Aug. 30 to 31, featuring Indigenous artists, vendors, and music.

“Agriculture has really always been at the heart of the PNE, dating back to 1910,” said Frost.

She says fairgoers can also visit the agricultural area to “get up close and personal with your favorite baby animals and learn about the importance of British Columbia’s agricultural sector.”

There will be a kids discovery farm, livestock barns at a 4H Festival, and displays from partners like the BC Dairy Association, the BC Cattlemans Association, and Poultry in Motion.

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You can also check out an outdoor dinosaur exhibit, cooking demonstrations, and drag performances by the Legendary Rock Icons. Drag performer Jaylene Tyme, who came dressed as Dolly Parton on Thursday, says the PNE is a magical place.

“It’s a place where it is about tradition, it’s family, it’s celebration of community. But most importantly, with what we bring here, it’s saying everybody is invited,” said Tyme.

One of the other traditions at the PNE Fair that families have loved for decades is the food. One of the most iconic food vendors, Jimmy’s Lunch, is celebrating its 95th anniversary at the summer event.

“My favourite part is seeing happy people getting our food, and they thank us and it’s a pleasure,” said Jim Parsons, whose grandfather started the brand — which is most famously known for its fried-onion-topped hamburgers — in 1929.

“We’re just super proud to carry on the tradition that my grandfather started, and we will keep it going. Looking forward to 100.”

The PNE Fair officially begins on Saturday, Aug. 17. It will run until Sept. 2.

—With files from David Nadalini and Cecilia Hua.