This year's VIEx at Nanaimo's Beban Park has been scheduled between Friday, Sept 19 and Sunday, Sept. 21. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

Annual fair

VIEx shift to September appears to be a hit

Apr 22, 2025 | 5:22 AM

NANAIMO — Pushing back Nanaimo’s annual fair by a month has been a well-received move, according to a Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEx) representative.

Michelle Solloway, director of social media & advertising, said they’re excited to return with a Sept. 19-21, 2025 event at Beban Park Fairgrounds after switching to the same weekend last year.

While total attendance was down slightly in comparison to 2023 with about 16,000 attendees, Solloway said crowd volumes shot up higher than usual for the Saturday.

“The feedback is awesome; people are happy to be able to go to the VIEx now. They’re not away for their last weekend before going back school or on holidays, they’re here in town,” Solloway told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She believes the “really positive response” is also linked to families and children who have something new to look forward to a few weeks into the new school year routine.

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In addition to regular attractions like rides, music and multiple other forms of entertainment, Solloway said several popular features are returning to this year’s VIEx.

She noted freestyle motocross riding, superdogs and Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling are all returning, as is barrel racing.

There’s a treat in store for country music fans as well, Solloway said.

“Something new this year, we’re adding a second smaller stage which will feature B.C. Country Music Association artists on all three days.”

With the VIEx still deeply connected to agriculture, Solloway said VIEx was recently nominated as the Country Event of the Year at the 2025 BC Country Music Awards, with honours handed out in Coquitlam on May 4.

The VIEx, entering its 131’st year, is one of the longest running agricultural fairs in the province.

Further information on the non-profit VIEx, including interested vendors, volunteers and performers, is available at the organization’s website linked here.

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