Rain threatens to dampen PNE attendance numbers
Posted September 3, 2016 4:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Grey, rainy weather is seldom embraced on a labour day long weekend, especially by organizers of the Fair at the PNE.
About 30 per cent of the event’s total attendance is crammed into its last three days, and any prospect of rain can make people stay away in droves.
“People, they wait until the final weekend, and then the weather’s not great and they make the decision to come next year,” says PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance, “we need them to come this year and every year.”
Organizers are aiming for between 700,000 and 750,000 people across the 15 days of the fair.
“What we’re competing against is people getting up in the morning, looking out their window, and making a decision to go to a mall or a movie theatre,” Ballance adds.
A fierce wind storm during the 2015 event drove attendance down, prompting suggestions that the dates be moved to mid-summer to accommodate changing weather patterns.
Most fair attractions like rides and games go on rain or shine, although some outdoor stage shows may be cancelled.
The Fair at the PNE wraps up Monday with Chris Issac on the main stage.
