The Fair @ The PNE 2009

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A landmark in Vancouver is the PNE – the Pacific National Exhibition. However, during the last couple of weeks before Labour Day long weekend, The Fair opens… And, based on my experience last year, I chose to go there again this year! Here is a photo essay of my visit (thought the pictures are not necessarily in sequential order, hehehehe).

Before you continue, I must mention that some of the pictures are below par for several reasons: lots of people moving around, zoom (and crop) to take snapshot of other’s dishes and so on. I apologize for that! Also, while there will be a lot of comments, there are also 50+ images (around 15MB total). If you are on a slow connection, please, be patient!

Several of the buskers/street performers. In the first case, kids, don’t try this at home!

The Food Bank area. Here, a “statue” of Wall-E build using cans.

And some “games” in the area. Scrabble anybody?

K.C., the Kettle Creek Bear, the Pacific National Exhibition’s mascot.

Dal Richards and his band in the main (?) theatre. Other shows were running through the day.

“The Green Scene” showcasing alternative (read: electric) cars. I won’t mind driving one of those old cars!

Sand sculpture exhibit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready yet the day I went…

How about some lumberjack competition?

In another of the theatres, more presentations.

Right next to the square, there were some sunflowers and lots of bees and wasps. No, unlike us, they don’t take a day off… After taking this picture, I went to the Marketplace.

Yes, the Marketplace, where people who watch infomercials would be behaving like a small kid… And, rather than relying on gimmicks like this, just get into a meal plan and exercise, OK?

But, if you need a tool as an incentive to exercise, by all means…

If it wasn’t because I live in a rented unit, I would love to have a hammock… ^_^

Some cooking tools presentations + ingredients.

When I saw this, the first thing that came to my head was Margaritaville. Don’t ask!

Just like last year, out of all displays in the Marketplace, this is the one I “loved” the most: for $2 you get a 5 minutes massage on this massage chair (or $5 for 15 minutes). The best $5 spent on this visit! ^_^;;;

One of the biggest attractions is the PNE Prize Home. This year, the house will be built in the Okanagan.

It does not matter if you don’t like gambling, if you don’t buy a ticket, your chances of winning are null. In this case, I bought the 15/$50 “package”. But… I would only buy them if she would pose for this picture!

There was also a small parade for a presentation later that afternoon. Here, the toon rock (?)

At this point, the question is: where is the food???? OK, OK! I mentioned initially that these might not be necessarily in sequence. So, here are some of the pictures of the food stands around noon when people haven’t arrived yet. And, of course some of the goodies, hehehehe….

Deep fried Mars bar?! Well, it is a fair…

O_o

You can’t only have *one*… You have to have a bucket!!!!

Another “classic”, here corn dogs.

Burgers and hot dogs!

Onion rings and fried chicken.

Foot long hot dogs and fish and chips!

Thin (cheese pizza).

Indian food. Well, this is Vancouver, multi-culturalism is expected!

Pulled pork sandwich. I will have to say that yellow colour was a bit… Distracting.

This seemed to be a fad this year: A potato sliced thin and then fried.

Later in the afternoon, there were a LOT of people. Oh, in the background Playland.

Finally, as to what I had, I went to the Ukranian stand and had a platter, which had some sausage, cabbage roll, perogies (pan fried). It was just OK, I think I would have been able to do better…

However, whereas in the US, funnel cake is “king”, here are the mini-donuts.

The last picture was taken from Playland. Yes, I did go to Playland but did not go to any of the rides. Did spend a couple of toonies in some of the games though but that was about it. And, yes, there was also a monster truck for you to ride! (Caveat: ride, not drive…)

While some of the things you might be doing will be on the expensive side (read: rides on Playland), overall, if you plan wisely, it could be a cheap day of entertainment. For $15 per person ($12 if you go to a a 7-11 to buy it in advance or on-line), there is a lot to do. In my case, there were even some activities I did not even go (like the farm or the home-reno area) and I was there already for almost 6 hours! As for the food, let’s face it, is is expensive (I spent over $6 on two non-alcoholic drinks), it might not be good for your health (deep fried Mars bars?!), might not even be good food but, hey, it is one of those days you are there just to have fun and not think too much about it. As a once a year activity, it is fine. Next year, I guess?

Tagged under: Events • Photo Essay • Vancouver