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Pacific National Exhibition PNE
Category: Local Flavour Local Flavour [Edit]
2901 Hastings St EVancouver, BC V5K 5J1
Neighbourhood: Hastings-Sunrise
(604) 253-2311
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
26 reviews for Pacific National Exhibition PNE
26 reviews in English
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Review from Louise G.
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
A: Agricultural Fair, Art Cars
B: Beer Garden, Blooming onions
C: Coffee, Canstruction, Container Art
D: Dal Richards Orchestra, Deep fried PopTarts
E: EUKANUBA SuperDogs!!!!, Evolution of Extreme
F: Fireworks, Festival Square
G: Games of chance, Guido's pizzeria
H: Horseshow
I: Icecream
J: Jobs
K: KC Bear's Summer Jam
L: Laser shows
M: Mini-donuts, MarketPlace
N: Night Concerts
O: Orange Julius, One Ball
P: PNE Prize Home, Pig Races, Peking Acrobats
Q: Queezy from the rides
R: Rib Competition
S: Sand sculpture, Safeway Farm Country
T: TapTastic
U: Under height?? - too bad :(
V: Vina's
W: World on the Water, Whale's tails
X: Xciting!
Y: YUM
Z: ZZZZZ after a full day of eating,drinking and being entertained it is now time for some ZZZsListed in: 365-Day Challenge - Review A…
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Review from Sarah A.
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
The PNE is a must-do for Vancouverites in the summertime. In my childhood I loved the PNE. As a teenager I abandoned it for the rides at Playland. And now, as an adult, I am once again in love with the PNE.
The food carts are amazing. The mini donuts are a classic for a reason (my personal favourite stand is the one closest to the wooden roller coaster). I don't care what you say - the donuts do taste different at different stands! You can pretty much find a cart selling food from every region of the world. If you like perogies, try visiting the Ukranian food stand (it's been there for 45 years - much like the coaster). The lemonade stands are also fantastic. I personally have never tried the deep fried Oreos or the deep fried butter, but I'm sure that will float someone's boat - there is something for everyone.
If you can catch it, the Peking Acrobats put on a spectacular show. It's included with the price of admission to the PNE and they are very talented. Get a seat early as this show is popular. The Superdogs is another great show if you have small children (if not, you might be a little underwhelmed - although the dogs are very cute and entertaining).
The stables are fun for kids of all ages as well. There are pig races and horse shows, and you can see many different types of animals (horses, cows, oxen, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, racing pigeons, rabbits, ducks, baby chicks, etc). If you are lucky, you might even see a baby calf or piglet being born.
Finally, the PNE show home is a must-see (try to not buy a lottery ticket after a tour of the lovely home).
Other popular attractions include the beer garden, rib fest, the truck show, the free nighttime concerts with fireworks and of course the RIDES.Listed in: Culture Vultures
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Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
8/24/2011
The entrance price has gone up, however, the quality of vendors has sunk as the years pass. Every year I welcome the familiarity of the food, the infomercial building now saturated with businesses rather than innovative products that used to flood the air waves and inspire pitches to the Dragon's Den. You still have those, however, it is few and fair between. I did buy a $100 instant popsicle maker....yes it was worth it in my eyes as it makes ice cream pops.
The concert series is still decent. When I mean decent I mean, there are at least 2 - 3 artists that normally don't play on a semi regular basis at the casino. They're somewhat acts you want to make way to see. With the exception of last year with Bryan Adams and Joan Jett, the acts this year are struggling to get a crowd. I went yesterday for Chris Isaak whose been on my bucket list for a while.
The games, still challenging and fun.
I went on a Monday, after 7 pm. There was barely a crowd which made it easy for me to finish the PNE in under 2 hours (just the fair alone, not counting the concert). The downfall was that at the petting zoo most of the animals were either taken home for the night or asleep.
I will be going back on September 2nd for Hall and Oats, therefore, there will be a follow up review.
The deep fried pop tarts and Oreos = heaven. Wiggle chips = what dreams are made of.
I did the PNE cheap:
I didn't pay full price entrance, bought discount tickets on-line
I don't have kids
I fill on food easily
Even though I bought a $100 popsicle maker, I've been eyeing this item as I've read about it in magazines, seen it pitched on the Dragon's Den, and saw it at Chapters for $170.
Thank god I do not have kids, they would've slowed down my momentum of fun at the PNE. -
Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011
"Win a house, win a car!" The annual 17-day event when city-dwellers take in some country ... and the one time of the year where herds of people from the suburbs migrate towards the centre! :P
It is a fair that features: *dog shows and pig races, a barn yard, motor bike shows, dance performances and *acrobatics, *musical stage and *pyrotechnics, the prize home, a marketplace, casino, fair games and *amusement park (Playland), sand castle competition, exhibits and displays. (* = Best)
I've been pretty much every year since I can remember. This year had excellent performances on the mainstage (Hall & Oats, Donny Osman!), but otherwise, it didn't offer anything new or exciting. Nevertheless, it's a good time and I'll continue the annual ritual :)
What's more:
- Vancouver tourists, if you're here in August while it's on, you must go! It's fun.
- Cost: $20. ($16-18 from Shopper's Drug Mart)
- Check the calendar of performances before you go. There are big headliners on some nights.
- You can enter and exit as much as you like - just get stamped.
- When you enter, 'all' is enticing and designed to take your money. Try to spend wisely
- It's okay to indulge in a bag of those mini donuts once a year ;) -
Review from reyz a.
9/5/2011
OK, Bryan Adams was still in the air waves, and iPOD5 would have been some factious alien in Battle Star Galactica when I last visited the P.N.E.. I'm glad that certain things have not changed since I've moved to California many years ago. Playland is still here. Eating Mini DoNuts or Whale Tale still impossible to stop once you get started. The lottery for your dream house is still here. The vega-matic kitchen appliances are still hawked by vendors in the Agrodome. And, the fortune teller lady is still Romanian (with a slight West End accent).
What has changed is some of the entertainment. What's this? Hindi-Urdu-music meets bagpiping-sitar-playing-Gaelic-Asian-Irishmen. I guess things do improve over time.
Oh yea, the family across the street still offers $10 parking behind their house. Since my family is predominantly Asian, we got the Asian special last night. Gotta love Vancouver.... -
Review from Diana B.
8/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
PNE is Fried Food City! Seriously... I can't say that it is ALL Fried, but 95/100 is! It's so crazy! I am pretty sure that it is just about the food here... PNE is a huge carnival! Food and expensive games....
It's Funny and Fun and a huge attack to my functioning organs... lol -
Review from Monique B.
Port Moody, BC
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Four words: deep fried pop tarts! You can get these at the Pennsylvania Funnel Cakes cart near the show home and they are delightful!
This year we got free admission to the PNE with our Whitecaps match tickets so we decided to make the trek in early to enjoy some fair fun. We checked out all the livestock (piglets and calves and bunnies, oh my!), enjoyed the Pitmasters BBQ and even spent a couple of bucks in the marketplace (expensive, gimmicky lint-roller, yes please).
The Fair at the PNE is a Vancouver institution, and I'm happy that a lot of the charm is still in the 4H and livestock showings that were at the heart of this event in days of old. Good, wholesome family fun! -
Review from Edward L.
The PNE was a big part of my growing up. Unfortunately, I feel that it, much like Playland, has gone downhill.
Wilson Phillips was performing that day at the Westjet stage. There was some floor space, but not enough chairs. We ended up sitting on the grass. My sister is fan of theirs, but was quite disappointed at the fact that they only sang 1 song from their "Best Hits" album. We actually left the show early.
The fair was fairly deserted around 2000. The Canadian Forces recruiting centre was still there, and it looks like it has been updated (there were boards talking about Afghanistan for example), but I miss how you could once put on some military gear and get your photo taken with a Polaroid.
It looks like the monster trucks are gone now too. *sigh*
The PNE dream home is pretty neat. It's always impressive how they manage to move the entire over, and are able to dismantle and re-assemble an entire structure just like that.
One highlight though is "Those Little Donuts". These things are bags of crack. It's been around forever, and there's a reason. They're that good.
The Safeway farm section is always neat, and worth checking out. You'll see lots of animals, both big and small. Some of the horses and cows look so fat and happy.
The forums pretty much all sold useless junk. Some booths sold some strange stuff, such as massage chairs. How are you going to carry that around? I ended up with a Sweepa (2 for $20).
It's not as big of a rip as Playland, but this is one of those events where I wouldn't go every year. -
Review from Chauncey B.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2012
Mini donuts slightly bigger plz.
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Review from Hootie J.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
not much to go back for... same old same old.. Superdogs... Wooden coaster.... tiny donughts.... has been musicians... ugly show home... thousands of useless gadgets....
Ya I will see you next year! -
Review from Evilyn T.
8/18/2010 3 photos
You and me at the PNE!! The BF and I go to the PNE every year because it's so much fun! We skip the rides because it's so busy and check out some of the free shows and EAT! We usually hit the rides up during Fright Nights in October because the lines are smaller and riding the old coaster in the dark waiting for it to go off-rail is scary as heck!
I LOVE the Superdogs! This is probably the highlight of the festival for me. It is not possible to watch the Superdogs and not laugh, you might even cry a little due to the heinous music choices for the dog races.
I think the BF's favourite thing at the PNE is the BBQ'd corn. You can actually see his eyeballs pop out of his head when he spots the trailer selling it, whereas I myself am more of an elephant ear kinda girl, hook me up with some of that sugar covered bread and I will be bouncing for the rest of the day!
We always check out the Motorcross as well which is usually pretty cool, last year's wasn't as good as the year before when the two motorcyclists got into the round steel cage and drove upside down. That was some crazy shit! We always end up getting a western-old-time-photo, which is pretty pricey, ($40 for two people, $50 for four, and that only includes ONE photo) but it's once a year, so why the hell not? * This year I am going to see if they will let me be the cowboy and the BF be the flapper chick. * That one will be going up on the mantle at home with all the others for sure! Last year we also caught Chris Isaak doing his live show, which was awesome, and this year we are going to see Joan Jett play! I can't wait!!
*Edit- we went to the PNE last night and were told that they don't usually let men wear the ladies dresses, but if we brought a dress of our own they could wear that. Mental note - next year bring a dress for the BF.Listed in: Best of the best
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Review from Joyce D.
Burnaby, BC
Updated - 9/3/2009
Just a note; since writing this review I have received mail/notes from 1/2 dozen people noting how badly they have been treated working for Hunky Bill at both his restaurant and the PNE.
Very sad stories how they were berated, swore at and to boot how he didn't want to pay them after he fired them.
Something he obviously doesn't understand it is us, the public, people who work for him who made him the business he has.
I don't get it myself when the food sucks as severely as his does and I truly mean it. Try the cabbage rolls and peroghi's and you too will agree.
Wake up Hunky Bill. Learn some manners or better still learn how to treat another human being. You should be ashamed of yourself!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/31/2009
Ohhh my poor feet just got back from a day at the PNE! Fought through the line-ups and the pushing… Read more »
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Review from Mike G.
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
It keeps getting more expensive but getting less interesting. Most games are now 5 dollars but the prizes are smaller than ever!
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Review from Sandra C.
Abbotsford, BC
8/30/2009 2 photos
Well, we bit the bullet, cough up $500.00 smackers, took the kids to our all time family outing... Yuppers, like our parent's did before us as theirs did for them.
Now in our way back days; Every child in school received a Free PNE. Admittance Pass, but not today; Only up to Jr. grade. Whatever these time and days aren't going to wreck our family fun day; No Siry Bob... So off we go.
All parking is taking - we pay $25.00 to park all day private park (owner's driveway)
4 - Cost of 2 adult pass in the gate & rides $100?
1- Jr. pass & rides - $37?
1- Enter Pass $12.00
NOTE: Buy tickets at Stores, Not at PNE. grounds you will save up to $5.00 to 10.00. (Shoppers Drug Mart, 7- 11 Stores, Safeway. You are looking for cards like gift cards)
OK, at them big black gates, "Oh No!" My house my dream house, because: without a dream you have no hope, so into my purse I fish for a 50. dollar bill- Sold done deal, It's mine...BACK OFF!
Were in and you can smell food: Fried onions frying, hamburgers, popcorn ; ALL drawing you in to the cook shacks along the dirt trails. Oh, the yelling screaming, rides going around high up into the air: wondering to yourself, "What if that thing came flying off... is it safe?" (For that split second.)
You can pay $10.00 buy a big red pop container, and get it refilled up ONLY in the Playland area. (Not told to us and MAKE SURE you don't wipe off date on the sticker placed on it or they will NOT give you anymore. This happen to us) We were a little confused on rides not being a part of the PNE. as they were: West Coast Amusements Rides; So watch out for that part as you go out of Playland area.
Line up was not bad to see the dream house: About 15 minutes for us time was at 4:pm we lined up.
Prices were in reason except I did have a problem paying $5.00 for a small Popsicle, so the kid got a snow cone for $3.00 (lasted longer- lol).
Rides were way shorter this year... I KID YOU NOT... Kids got on 2 1/2 mins. later off they came... Couldn't believe that one .
Did almost feel like cattle be pushed in & out for a moment : Hardly no smiles on the ride worker's faces, or helpful nice and some rude. The restroom were somewhat clean but have to consider how many people do trample through.
The band: Chilliwack was playing and then to top the night was fireworks....
Loved it! We'll be doing all over again next year. FOR SURE!
Another family event crossed off until next year... Hey; came home with $200.00 left over. AWESOME -
Review from Tim L.
8/18/2008
Who doesn't like getting super shammies, miracle mops, ginzu knives and other random late night TV offerings from booths?
What about watching the super dogs?
Then going over and petting horses, asses (donkeys you punks! Ok fine I'm sure there's ass groping out there too) and other farm animals?
Admit it! It's fun despite the annoying crowds and how you remember it being exactly the same as the previous year, the year before that, and the year before that one..... -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2008
The only thing I like about PNE is the mini doughnuts. Other than that, I feel like the quality of this annual fair has steadily declined over the years...
The rides seem more juvenile. The contests seem more ridiculous. The shows seem more outdated.... Oh wait, maybe that's because we're getting older year by year.
PNE is a great place for kids. But as an adult, if you've been there once in your life, you should use your time exploring something you haven't seem instead of going to the PNE. -
Review from karen c.
Vancouver, BC
9/2/2010
Came here last night and had a nice walk around the PNE. No rides this year - it is far too expensive for even just one ticket! It's $1.50 for one ticket and for certain rides it can go up to 8 tickets!
For the first time I tried wiggle chips! Are they that good? Not really. They're super oily and for $5 I can fry my own potatoes better than them.
And of course, the good old mini donuts. $3 a bag or $5 for 2 bags. Gotta love them! MMm. =D
Now aside from the food, I only got to look at the farm animals yesterday. They're so ooooooo super adorable! You gotta check them out.
PNE is something you've gotta go - maybe once or twice in your life. As far as I know, if I can't get in for free, I will not be going at all. Admission is really expensive and games, food and rides are extremely over priced. And the down side this year, the toys aren't even as cute and they look like they're under-stuffed with fluff! How could you do that to the poor stuffed animals?! -
Review from Eric C.
Burnaby, BC
8/18/2010
"Win a house, win a car!"
Those Little Donuts... Sausage Haus... The Super Dogs... PLAYLAND!
I look forward to the 17 days of PNE fun that occurs annually here in Vancouver. Though it's practically a given that there will be rain the first weekend, hundreds of thousands of people visit daily and add to what is a fun-filled day and/or evening.
Parking is always a nightmare, but if you are willing to pay the price, you'll be parked and eating cotton candy in no time.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the fair and to celebrate there is a massive concert series headlined by Bryan Adams and other artists like Huey Lewis and the News and ummm... Nearly Neil. (Really?!)
Anyway, I'll be there multiple times this year and a good tip is if you have an iPhone, there is now a free PNE app which allows you access to buy tickets to the PNE for $5 off! -
Review from Racquel F.
Coquitlam, BC
9/5/2009
After having read the other reviews posted here, it became abundantly clear to me that my review of the PNE is desperately needed. Everyone one of these people misses the point. Let me explain...
As far as I am concerned the PNE is the best bang for your buck in the lower mainland when it comes to family entertainment. My husband and I have been taking our girls there every year for a dozen years now. Our first year, when are two oldest grils were 6 and 4, was an awful experience - I got a migraine, we stayed way too long, our car was towed, and I ended up getting sick on the way home. But we learned, and since then every year has been a fun, affordable, family outing.
The first thing everyone needs to learn, especially if you are a local, DO NOT go to Playland while the PNE is on. When I say Playland, I mean the rides. It is true that when the PNE is on there are few more rides at Playland, but the cost of the ride pass and the long line-ups are what turns a day at the PNE into a nightmare.
Playland is open on weekends starting on Victoria Day, and everyday as soon as school lets out. Discounted passes can often be purchased at places like Safeway, and because the PNE isn't running, the passes are less expensive anyway. And the lineups are much shorter when the PNE isn't on. So, as a rule, we always make Playland a separate outing and avoid it altogether when we visit the PNE.
Next, use the daily show guide. There are usually a dozen or more free shows running at various times throughout the day. Superdogs of course, but also motorcross sports, demoltion derbies, acrobats, horse shows, parades, street performers, and the free summer concert series.
This year for the cost of $15 a person - the same price as going to see a movie, and considerably lesson than any professional sporting event - we saw a Tom Cochrane concert (he was amazing), the RCMP Muscial Ride, SuperDogs, quad racing, and a pretty good pryo-techiques show. In addition to this we got to take in Sand Castle sculptures, container art displays, and a wondering Blues Brothers tribute duo singing in the streets. The people-watching is fun, and the sales people in the marketplace are a hoot. It simply wouldn't be summer in Vancouver without a trip to the PNE.
In addition to our PNE entrance, we did have to pay $20 for parking - but that is a choice. We could have taken transit and this year the PNE offered free, safe bicycle lock-up. And yes, we did nosh on some mini-donuts - who could resist - and ate some pretty medicore, very over-priced food. But at the end of the day a family of five was entertained for 7 hours at a total cost of $200. Tell me anyplace else you can entertain that many people for that long for that little.
So at the end of the day, the PNE gets my vote! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
8/19/2008 1 photo
I love the PNE with complete dorky abandon. The Fair was on the brink a few years ago, but it seems to have found a groove, bringing back the same shows and rides year after year, like the Superdogs and the Motocross, filling me with a sense of warm familiarity.
When I was but a young lass, it was all about the rides. Now that I'm older (like, twice the age of the staff running them), I still love the Coaster and the Wild Mouse, but mostly for the the little thrill of "Will this be the moment when the creaky old thing finally falls apart?" Most of the people I see who are my age seem to be taking their own kids on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Scary. For me, that is.
And of course, there's the PNE's fine cuisine. My personal Best-of's include the BBQ chicken (next to the PNE Prize Home), the C-Lovers fish and chips, Hunky Bill's perogies, a Jimmy's Lunch burger with loads of fried onions, and of course, those little donuts (accept no mini-donut imitators!).
To round it all out, I go to the barns to see the people wearing beards of bees, and visit both the cute animals and the future meat. And then it's on to the Gizmo'n'Crap building, which is officially called the Showplace or something like that, and of course, the Superdog show. Sometimes a horse show for nostalgia sake, because I used to go with my grandparents when they came down from the farm just to go to the PNE.
Through it all, I can never quite believe that I'm here once again, for another year. -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
12/2/2008
Having not grown up here, I lack those fond memories of the PNE's glory days. Yep, I love roller-coasters and Ferris wheels, but the PNE just doesn't deliver the punch I'm looking for.
A nighttime visit is my preferred option to look out over the sea of tents and stands, watching the whizzing lights of the rides. The live shows are fun and the impersonators do a pretty good job.
But maybe it's just that I'm not crazy about mini-doughnuts and those mini delights are covered in addictive white powder that makes Vancouverites traipse back to these fair grounds year after year. That, or I'm still bitter about not winning the ring toss. -
Review from Leroy L.
8/24/2010 4 photos
I have fond memories of the PNE from when I first went when I was 10. Much has changed over the years, but it's the nostalgia that makes it so dear to me. I love going to see The Superdogs and getting some of Those damn, delicious Little Donuts! I had 2 bags and a Corn Dog. =P Don't expect a big, modern amusement park with the big fancy rides and a themed atmosphere. It's more of that old school carnival type of charm that only the PNE has! If you grew up with the PNE, you would understand! Go eat some carnival food, go on some rides, do some shopping in the Market Place, and watch a music performance on the PNE Concert Stage. Have fun and enjoy it for what it is and not what you want it to be! Unfortunately the prices are expensive these days, so you'll easily shell out $100+ per couple for gate passes, ride passes, and food. For that, minus *1 star*.
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Review from Kevin R.
Vancouver, BC
8/30/2010
I can't believe I'm about to admit that this was my first time to the PNE! And get this, I ended up going twice in one week. I loved everything from hanging with the pigs and cows, the hilarious Superdogs, to the greasy carnival food. I indulged in mini doughnuts, funnel cake, deep fried zucchini sticks, el grande poutine, and corn dogs. I managed to check out the marketplace and the casino. So many options, so many people, so little time. The Playland part was a blast, I remember being able to handle these types of rides better when I was younger, or it could have been all the food I inhaled :) What the heck was in Those Little Donuts? I haven't been able to get them off my mind since. *Sigh* See you next year!
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Review from Jonathan L.
10/28/2009
The PNE was pretty fun to be at... But first, I remember the mini donuts from Those Little Donuts! They were so yummy... I also remember having the halibut fish and chips C-Lovers! YUM YUM YUM!
haha, its usually all about the food. But it was a nice walk. Saw lots of nice products, but I never get convinced into buying them since they're the same products from infomercials, and they usually have problems in the end.
The PNE Parade was lots of fun, especially for the little ones! They have the dancing bears and the huge pirate.
Lots of stuff to see... Way better than the Los Angeles County Fair... Except the cost to get in is WAY much more...
But there's a lot of nice fun things to see, games, things to eat, etc...
Aside from that... YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THE MINI DONUTS FROM THOSE LITTLE DONUTS! They're so yummy and the size makes eating it much more fun.
You can't go wrong with the halibut fish and chips :) YUM YUM YUM. -
Review from Daniel W.
Langley, BC
9/4/2010
.... PNE... somewhat akin to going with my girlfriend while she buys shoes at the mall. Went at 12 noon.... skytrain in from Surrey best part.... Event best suited to kids & Moms....
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Review from Shirley C.
Burnaby, BC
Walked past this little food stand where all the food stands are and they were advertising deep fried Oreos!! Well being an adventurous type I had to give them a try! They're a little too sweet for me but if you get the right amount of dough with your bite of cookie it's quite good!! Definitely should try this out! 2 stars for originality and thinking outside the box.
The other new discovery at the fair is a Crepe stand with a selection of dessert crepes and savory ones too. I had the chicken with pesto, cheese and sundreid tomato...it was the best lunch I've had at the fair! A must try!
And of course a visit to the fair isn't complete without buying a bag of O' those little donuts!! Always fun to watch the dough pop out of the machine into hot oil and fianlly down the chute to be sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and consumed immediately! TIP: buy at least two little bags...to hold you over until next year!!
