Ah, the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition), Vancouver's somewhat pale imitation of Toronto's CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). Both originated, more or less, as country fairs, and both retain a bit of that flavour still. At least, what little is left of them does. The PNE isn't exactly flourishing these days. I don't know how the CNE is doing, not having visited it in over 30 years. When I was a kid, though, it was amazing. Rides! Candy! Junk-to-the-max food! New cars! Big animals! A dog show (that we never attended, but it was fun visiting all the dogs back in the preparation area). It was the big event at the end of summer vacation.