PNE draws nearly 638,000 people, the highest since the pandemic

The 114th Fair at the PNE wrapped up on Monday and posted its strongest numbers in five years

Published Sep 03, 2024  •  2 minute read

More than 34,500 people rode Playland's newest ride, the ThunderVolt, during this year's Fair at the PNE. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG

Despite rainy days and construction for a new amphitheatre that turned part of the Pacific National Exhibition’s grounds into an open-air pit, the annual Fair at the PNE recorded its highest attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 637,920 people came to partake of the fair’s rides, attractions and tasty food offerings over 15 days, surpassing attendance in 2023 (626,531) and 2022 (529,772), although still short of the numbers before the pandemic when it consistently hit above 700,000.

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“Despite five days of rain, including one record-setting day on our middle Saturday, the combination of new attractions, the Summer Night Concerts lineup and traditional favourites really resonated with our guests this year,” said PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost in a statement.

To boost attendance after the rainy stretch, organizers offered half-price gate admission to the East Vancouver fairgrounds over three days.

Construction of a new $104-million open-air amphitheatre — recently-christened the Freedom Mobile Arch — also meant a smaller footprint and some venue shuffling. The popular Summer Nights concerts, for example, were held indoors at Pacific Coliseum, while fan favourite SuperDogs were moved to the Agrodome.

“The overall result was very well-received as the team approached what could have been challenges as an opportunity to rethink our many indoor and outdoor venues and spaces,” said Frost.

Fair-goers should expect at least another year of construction, with the 10,000-seat venue not set to open until 2026.

This year, the PNE unveiled a new ride: the ThunderVolt, billed as the fastest electric-launch roller-coaster in Canada. More than 34,500 people experienced the ride’s twists, turns and 1.3 Gs of acceleration in its fair debut.

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For a last thrill of the season, the PNE Prize Home remains up for grabs.

The $2.35-million fully-furnished home built on-site in Langley features four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a two-bedroom suite.

The draw is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The 2024 PNE Fair by the numbers

Playland

34,512 — People rode the ThunderVolt in its fair debut
86,899 — Rides on Kettle Creek Mine, Classic Wooden, and the new Electric ThunderVolt
150,000 — Moles whacked at Whac-A-Mole
214,800 — Inflated balloons used for balloon games
315,000 — Rings tossed at the Ring Toss Game

Food

34,500 — Slushies sold by Slush Zone
19,500 — Pieces of Hong Kong-style French Toast by Tochi
3,750 — Bags of Kettle Corn sold at Canadian Kettle Corn
3,012 — Jumbo Deep-Fried Squids sold at Little Happy Fish
16,500 — Cotton candies sold throughout the PNE

Entertainment

3,000 — Dog stuffies sold at SuperDogs
40 per cent — Percentage of dogs in SuperDogs that are rescues
225 — Kids who participated in the Metro Vancouver Pee & Poo Mascot Dance Off

Agriculture

104 — Animals sold in the 4-H Auction
$314,013.31 — total sales for the 4-H auction
260 — Chicks born at the Fair
9 — 30-yard dumpster loads of dung taken away from the livestock barns
5,701 — Pony rides

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