Farewell PNE 2008

Yesterday, I went to the PNE for the final day of this year's fair. Having not been to the PNE for a shocking 9 years, it was a great day of exploration and entertainment.

First, I watched a few minutes of the Lumberjack show, though through the crowds I couldn't see much (I could see they were throwing axes, though!). From there, I wandered around the midway, threw some money away on some midway games, and just got a feel for the place again. There are some crazy new rides since the last time I was there, so I spent a few minutes checking each of them out, stunned at the things we humans are willing to do to get an adrenaline rush!

From there it was over to the barn (after getting stuck on the wrong side of the Toontastic Parade route for a short delay...), to check out the baby chicks, baby cows, and baby sheep... plus an incredibly large bull names Peter the Great. I'm sure he was larger than any car I've ever owned.

Next, it was the ever-popular Super Dogs, followed by a tour through the prize home, and then back to the barn to see the duck and pig races (which were unfortunately pretty seriously delayed and interrupted by the CTV crew filming a bit on the PNE -- it was remarkable to see how much they were willing to disrupt the experience for the live crowd just to show a few seconds of it on TV).

With the day winding down, I headed over to the Rogers Amphitheatre to see Spirit of the West as part of the Summer Nights concert series. What a great show -- a huge bonus included as part of admission to the fair.

From there, it was a couple of rides, then back to the amphitheatre to catch a bit of Rolling Thunder -- a bizarre mix of country music and dancing with pyrotechnics.

All in all, it was a great day at a classic Vancouver summer attraction. The PNE is now closed for the season, but Playland is open weekends in September 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., so you still have a chance to get your ride fix. And check out the Province on Sept. 8 for a list of winners in the PNE prize home draw!

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· Celebration of Light Fireworks Makes Another Comeback
· Views of Vancouver: Point Atkinson Lighthouse
· Views of Vancouver: Yaletown

[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

PK Acrobat said:

2008 PNE prize home draw seems rigged...

Come on they should have announced the winner right after they pulled the ticket out of the drum. If they argued it needed to be verified they should have also verified it live on t.v. instead of disappearing for a minute. Also, what happened to the live phone call?

Posted at 10:32 PM, on September 2 2008

Farewell PNE 2008

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.