By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

VIEX trying something new for 123rd year

Aug 17, 2017 | 3:12 PM

NANAIMO — There will be stickier fingers and fuller stomachs at this year’s Vancouver Island Exhibition fair.

Operations manager Stephen Kass told NanaimoNewsNOW 2017 will be a banner year for the VIEx since they’re introducing a ribfest to run all weekend.

From 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the exhibition in the Aug. 18 weekend, families can tuck into ribs from four trucks which came from all across Canada.

Kass said there will also be a new family friendly beer garden for parents to enjoy while they feast.

It’s all in an effort to introduce new aspects of the event, especially since nearly every town has their own exhibition or festival in some way.

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“When the average family has $20 in their pocket and they don’t know what to do, they don’t want to come back to the same thing again and again and again,” Kass said. “So I think that’s what makes us so successful.”

Normally the exhibition sees between 20,000 and 22,000 people come through the gates.

“I’m even going to stick my neck out and hope we get up to 30,000,” he said.

Traditional favourites such as the animals and Mid-Island Vintage Tractor and Equipment Club won’t go anywhere.

Headliners this year are tribute band Led Zepagain, Doc Walker and Odds. Full details can be found at the fair’s website.

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