Many of us are lamenting the cancellation of this summer’s Pacific National Exhibition due to COVID-19 restrictions. While the Fair wasn’t due to open until August 22nd the impact of the cancellation is already being felt across BC.
Many of us have fond memories of the Fair’s nightly concerts, SuperDogs, the Wooden Coaster, baby pig races and 4-H cows, and, of course, the one-of-a-kind Fair food. However, for thousands of other British Columbian’s the PNE Fair has a significant impact beyond fond summertime memories, the 15-day event generates $85 million in economic impact into our region, and supports hundreds of local, family-owned small businesses who make up the concessionaires and exhibitors seen throughout the grounds each year.
The PNE has launched an initiative aimed at supporting those businesses and allowing us to showing our “Fair Spirit” the Pacific National Exhibition has announced the first in a new drive-through series – A Taste of the PNE – Mini Donut Edition – starting tomorrow May 22nd – 24th.
This celebration of the almighty mini donut will feature the four concessionaires seen annually at the PNE Fair: Those Little Donuts, Tin Lizzy Donuts, CinCity Donuts and the PNE Fundunkers. Visitors are encouraged to try them all then vote for their favourite to help crown BC’s Best Mini Donut.
The Mini Donut Edition is the first in an anticipated series of events celebrating some of the Playland and Fair favourites. The program, developed in consultation with Vancouver Coastal Health, will be a drive-thru experience with safe distancing protocols and food preparation standards.
Ticket holders will drive up to each of the participating donut stands, located in a row on the Fair’s traditional “Revel District” area at Hastings Park and pick up donuts to go for a bundled price.
“We intend to offer a number of different experiences in this series,” says PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost. “Many of the small businesses that make up our concessionaire and exhibitor core are in dire financial circumstances after losing their entire year as a result of COVID. This is a small way we can help. We’re beginning with what is perhaps the most well-known of all our Fair foods, the mini donut, and we are hoping that people who have reached out to express their support to the PNE will look at this as a way to also support the small businesses who are the heart and soul of this Fair, many of them going back generations with us.”
A Taste of the PNE – The Mini Donut Edition takes place this weekend, May 22-24, 2020 between 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm each day. The drive-through will begin at the Entrance off Hastings Street, (West of Playland)
Tickets for A Taste of the PNE can be pre-purchased online at: ticketleader.ca. Prices are: $20 for six donuts from each vendor, or a Family Pack can be purchased for $35.00 for 12 donuts from each vendor. (All advanced ticket purchases on ticket leader include two tickets to the opening day of the 2021 PNE Fair)