PNE Fair saw a third of visitors during pandemic year
Posted September 7, 2021 10:39 am.
Last Updated September 7, 2021 10:42 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Attendance at this year’s PNE Fair was about a third of normal, with 239,000 people attending the summertime event in 2021.
By comparison, attendance was 732,000 in 2019 — the Fair didn’t go ahead last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, attendance was about 705,000, while the year before saw 722,000 visitors.
The health crisis is to blame for significant drop in attendance. This year’s maximum daily capacity was limited to 30 per cent because of provincial regulations.
“To see the support of so many people who love the PNE Fair and made a special point to purchase a ticket to support this organization and the thousands of employees as well as the extended PNE family of exhibitors and concessionaires was incredibly gratifying,” said PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost.
Despite lower attendance, #PNEFair expects profit
STORY: https://t.co/Tbw1fDXpG5 pic.twitter.com/oSc8hmJehF
— Tim James (@TimJamesPlus) September 7, 2021
In addition to lower capacity, people were required this season to pre-purchase date-specific passes in order for organizers to manage crowds.
According to a PNE spokesperson, there were no outbreaks linked to the Fair.
Though smaller in size, the 2021 Fair still featured some of the favourites including the West Coast Lumberjack Show, the SuperDogs, as well as some performances.
The Fair came to a close Monday night after opening on Aug. 21.
