Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
flyingandanon-groundexhibitionofmilitaryandcivilianplanesfromallerasofaviation.
Tickets are $30 per adult, $12 per child, or $100 per vehicle, and camping is $25 per site.
The country comes to the city for two weeks at the end of August for the
Pacific
National Exhibition
(Hastings Park, 604/253-2311,
www.pne.bc.ca
,
late Aug.), one of
Canada's largest agricultural exhibitions. What began as a simple fair in 1910 has grown
into a massive event, with live entertainment, multiple attractions, and special events at
Playland. One of many highlights is the twice-daily RCMP musical ride, a precision drill
performed byCanada'sfamous Mounties. Each dayofthe fair ends with Fire inthe Night,
a colorful extravaganza of lasers, dancers, and fireworks. The Pacific National Exhibition
Grounds are 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) east of downtown along Hastings Street East where
Highway 1 crosses Burrard Inlet. Admission to the grounds is $15.
Wander down to the wharves of Granville Island on the last weekend of August and
you'll think you've stepped back in nautical time. Wooden boat owners from along the
Pacific Coast gather at the island for the
Wooden Boat Festival
(Granville Island, 604/
519-7400,
www.vcn.bc.ca/vwbs
,
lastweekendofAug.)andallowenthusiaststoviewtheir
pride and joys during this casual gathering of seafaring folk. Children aren't forgotten:
knot-tying demonstrations, boat building, and the singing of salty sea tunes will keep the
younger generation happy.
Fall
The
Vancouver International Fringe Festival
(Granville Island, 604/257-0350,
www.vancouverfringe.com
,
second week of Sept.) schedules around 600 performances by
80 artists from around the world at indoor and outdoor stages throughout Granville Island.
Many performances are free, and the most expensive is still a reasonable $15.
It's a laugh-a-minute during
Comedy Fest
(various downtown locations, 604/
685-0881,
www.comedyfest.com
,
mid-Sept.),whichtakesplaceover10daysandincludes
both stand-up and improv. Free outdoor performances are scheduled daily from noon, be-
hind and in front of the island marketplace, while nighttime gigs are held at established
venues such as Yuk Yuk's and the Yale Hotel.
Running through the last two weeks of September,
Vancouver International Film
Fest
(downtown theaters, 604/683-3456,
www.viff.org
, early Oct.) features more than 300
of the very best movies from around 50 countries at theaters across downtown. The festiv-
al isn't as well known as other film festivals, but it has grown to become the third largest
in North America.
