Expect more rides, more animals, more events and more music at a rejuvenated Vancouver Island Exhibition. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

one month out

‘A lot more of everything:’ VIEx returning bigger and better than ever

Jul 29, 2022 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Organizers are promising after a “slapped together” event in 2021, the Vancouver Island Exhibition is back and in a big way.

Beginning Aug. 26, the three-day event at Beban Park will be a step up on the post-pandemic return visitors experienced last year, which was the result of just seven weeks planning.

Stephen Kass, president of the VIEx, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re back to what they’d consider a normal fair after a full year’s worth of work, with all the elements which has made it a success for over a century.

“It’s just going to be a lot more of everything we did last year, filling in some blanks, some time slots that we didn’t have a lot of activities for. We’ll get more animals back again this year, more activities planned this year than we did last year. The best way to say it is there’s more to come this year in 2022.”

The 128th edition of the event will see a jam-packed main stage with a variety of musical acts showcasing their talents.

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More animal shows and competitions will also feature in the agricultural barns, however it’s the midway which serves as a main attraction for around 20,000 people over the three days.

“This year, West Coast Amusement will be back again, bigger and better midway. They’ve picked up a couple of new rides…we’re going to allow them to expand a little bit more into the general area of our fairgrounds to accommodate these extra rides.”

Admission will return to a normal rate after organizers discounted it heavily for the 2021 edition to welcome people back. Adults can enter for $12, or purchase a $24 pass for the full three-days.

Discounted rates are available for seniors and children.

The entire event serves as the unofficial end to the summer events calendar in Nanaimo and is also a major economic and tousim driver.

“We bring in vendors, volunteers, our community, entertainers not only locally but also spread out from the Lower Mainland and even from further away. Having sanctioned animal shows this year, we’re going to be bringing judges and entries from the U.S.”

There is also the potential for the 2022 VIEx to be one of the last held in Nanaimo itself.

The fair is exploring a move to Arbutus Meadows in Nanoose with an application before the Agricultural Land Commission asking for their support in the move.

If granted, Kass said it would spur discussions with event organizers, sponsors and the community at large to determine the future home for the VIEx.

More information on this year’s fair, including a complete schedule of events, is available on the Vancouver Island Exhibition website.

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