Vancouver Island Exhibition kicks off Friday, Sept 19 at Beban Park Fairgrounds. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

fair weekend

VIEx in Nanaimo features ultra-local flair, expanded midway

Sep 19, 2025 | 6:37 AM

NANAIMO — While rain showers appear to be on the way Saturday, it won’t damper the mood for one of Nanaimo’s most anticipated weekends.

The 131st edition of the Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEx) takes place Friday, Sept 19 through Sunday, Sept 21 at Beban Park Fairgrounds, featuring rides, food, entertainment and much more.

VIEx spokesperson Michelle Solloway told NanaimoNewsNOW settling into the second year of a September fair as opposed to an August offering appears to be a great long-term solution.

“It’s best with us for the midway because they travel the island, they do all the other bigger fairs on the Island in September, it works better for them — and honestly, it so far has been better for us. We plan to stay here for the future,” Solloway said, who added the August event date also produced conflicts with many people away during summer holidays.

Illustrative site map for this year’s VIEx (vancouver Island Exhibition)

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

12h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

West Coast Amusements (extra cost beyond fair admittance fee) is bringing a larger selection of rides this year and taking up additional space within the fair footprint, Solloway said.

The fair, which typically attracts upwards of 20,000 people, is open on Friday and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., followed by a 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering on Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased online to skip lines, while complete event information is clearly laid out on the VIEx website.

Solloway said this year’s fair theme is Proudly Local, Wildly Canadian.

“There’s over 70 non-food vendors and about 20 food trucks, so huge shopping opportunities and all of them are locally owned businesses, artisans and things like that.”

Referencing a tumultuous trade relationship with the United States, Solloway said fair-goers will see a clear focus on local organizations.

“We’ve really tried to focus our energy on supporting our local groups, businesses, organizations and celebrating what makes us really great.”

Solloway said new to this year’s fair is a mini rodeo happening Friday and Saturday night.

Two stages for live music are set up, as is a smaller entertainment stage.

Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling and the popular super dogs are also returning.

Michelle Solloway with VIEx said the super dogs are an exceptionally popular draw for the annual fair (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Friday evening will be particularly busy at the VIEx with the fair coinciding with the Nanaimo Clippers regular season home opener versus Alberni Valley at 7 p.m.

Dating back to the late 1800’s, VIEx is one of the longest-running agricultural fairs in western Canada, overseen by a non-profit association.

This year’s VIEx rides selection courtesy of West Coast Amusements is larger (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook