Friday, August 18, 2017

It's the Coming: Fun at the PNE



The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) kicks off August 19th, 2017. The Fair is a fun way to spend your fleeting summer days. This event has always been a family must for as long as I can remember, and I am so excited to once again be able to share it with my ever-growing kiddo!

Dates & Times
The PNE runs from Saturday, August 19th through to Monday, September 4th, 2017
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. Click here for the daily schedule and times

Lots of Ways to SaveThe price of enjoyment can quickly rise. Between, gate entrance, ride passes, and the ever delicious carnival food that, let’s be honest, is the real reason why we attend, it’s inevitable that you will leave with a lighter wallet. Click here for PNE promotions

Here are some ways to save at this year’s fair:

  • August 19th-20th:Show up between 11:00 – 1:00 showing some Canada 150 pride and enter the park for just $1.50! Proudly wear red, or a maple leaf to take advantage of this discounted admission. (Must be visible). The PNE is thanking our RCMP, Police Officers, Paramedics, Firefighters, and Military Personnel by offering free admission to them and a guest. Must present a valid First Responders service card at the gates.
  • August 22nd-29th: Gain free admission to the fair between 11:00 - 1:00. Please be advised, guests are allowed a hand stamp for later day re-entry after 1:00.
  • August 23rd: Receive $5 off admission with a valid BC library card
  • August 23rd & 30th: Love rides? Take advantage of Wild Ride Wednesdays with a ride pass BOGO. Promotion is only available on site on the applicable day.  

Planning on going after work? Get in for just $5 every night after 9:00. After 5:00, save on ride passes Tuesday-Thursday. As always, save on admission and ride passes by purchasing online or in select stores.

Rides
In addition to existing rides like the Coaster, Atmosphere, and the Musical Express, Playland has added three new rides: Flutterbye, Dizzy Drop, and Bug Whirled.

There are very few rides your child can go on if they are below 36 inches. To each their own to decide whether a ride pass or tickets will be worth it, I was recently at Playland with my 2 year old (37 inches) and although we were limited to the same ten or so rides, she absolutely LOVED it! She rode the Cool Cruzer at least 10 times, and loved the Honeybee Express as well as the new Flutterbye ride.

To simplify your experience, first head over to Guest Services to have your child measured. They will receive a colored wristband to know which rides they are able to go on, and will save time having to get measured at each one. Click here for listing of rides



Food
What is the PNE without obnoxiously amazing carnival food! This year looks like the vendors have stepped up their game to bring some truly delicious looking creations. Of course there will be classics from Mini Donuts to Hunky Bill’s Pirogues to Poutine galore. As always there will be deep-fried everything, but the biggest trend difference from last year is the addition of BUGS! Why not tickle your taste buds with a Roasted BBQ Cricket Burger, or a Cricket Fries? Click here for listing of food vendors

One thing I am looking forward to tasting is a Prague Cone! It’s a delicious pastry that is served on the streets of Prague with some yummy looking ice cream. A rule when we go is that no one is allowed to order the same thing as someone else. That way we get to try a little bit of everything!

For the Kids 
In addition to the rides, the PNE offers fun activities and entertainment to enjoy with your family. Over in Rollerland, experience Toytopia! This interactive exhibit is home to some of the world’s favorite toys and arcade games. In addition to multiple play zones, you’ll get to see the world’s largest Etch A Sketch; however, if that’s not enough to grab your attention, I have one word for you: LEGO. Yup, Toytopia in addition to multiple play zones there will be displays, trains, and a LEGO building wall.

The 4H club will once again be hosting events inside the barn, as well as the always enjoyable farm life and animal interactions. In addition, kids will get to experience farm life at the Kids Discovery Farm exhibit.

Keeping in time with the bug theme is the Xtreme Bugs exhibit. Similar to last year’s Dinosaurs Alive, this interactive and educational experience will entice you with 19 animatronic models and 110 static bugs!



A Show for Everyone

Pacific Coliseum

My favorite Fair tradition is watching the President’s Choice Super Dogs. This year they are hosting Canada’s birthday celebration with Canadogs performing Canamazing tricks to some iCanic music! Daily show times at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Be sure to also step into a world of magic and illusions at the UNBELIEVABLE Marquee Show. Admission is free, but if you want a seat closer to the magic, you are welcome to purchase a premium seat online or in person through the Pacific Coliseum box office. Nightly shows at 7:30 p.m. Click here for listing of live shows

Festival Park
In celebration of Canada 150 there will be a daily Kaleidoscope Parade beginning at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 6 p.m. Nightly at 10:15 p.m., watch as the skies above the Park are illuminated in a Northern Lights display. This one is especially intriguing, as the sky will be lit using innovative drone technology.



ToonCity
Witness a royal Coronation first hand at this fun, musical family show. Come one, come all to the Princess Jubilation with shows beginning daily at 12:00 p.m.m, 3:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

For the little adventurer, be sure to join Safari Adventure with Action Austin as he searches the safari to find the missing pink star diamond. This musical show begins at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. daily.

Summer Night Concerts
While I’ll admit I am more into the Super Dogs, there are some pretty great acts scheduled this year.
Acts begin at 8:30 every night and there is a $20 option to purchase tickets. Click here for concert info.

August 19th – Mother Mother
August 20th – Billy Currington
August 22nd – The Pointer Sisters
August 23rd – High Valley
August 24th – ZZ Top
August 25th - Chicago
August 26th – Colin James
August 27th – Huey Lewis and the News
August 29th – Tom Cochrane with Red Rider
August 30th – The B-52s
August 31st – The Doobie Brothers
September 1st – Rick Springfield

September 2nd The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo. iHeartRadio Beach Ball begins at 2:00 p.m. on September 3rd and 4th. Check online for ticket prices and to order.

Celebrate the end of summer with the Fair at the PNE. Win a house or a car, indulge in some amazing food, experience the thrill of the rides, dance under the stars, and have some good ole family fun!

Andrea, is teacher turned stay-at-home mom to a sassy, tiny tyrant. She resides in Port Moody and shares on her blog her passion for motherhood, marriage, food, health, kids and her home through humor, love and empowerment. www.momknowssomethings.com

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