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2015 PNE fair opens its doors with brand new attractions

ABOVE: Jennifer Palma has a preview of this year’s Fair at the PNE.

The 105th annual PNE fair is promising a variety of new attractions as it opens its gates this weekend, including musicals, interactive displays, and exclusive exhibits.

The fair , which opens Saturday and runs until September 7, will host a musical for the first time. “Peter Pan” will be staged at the Pacific Coliseum every night, free for all fairgoers.

“One of the great things about this is that…everybody gets to see the show,” said Cathy Rigby, the actress who stars as Peter Pan in the musical.

“People make picnics, families come together, and it’s one of the most exciting things for me to know that kids have the opportunity free of charge to see Peter Pan.

Another new addition to the fair this year is an interactive outdoor exhibit called “Dinosaurs Alive.”

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The exhibit will feature 13 life-like dinosaurs, some of which can actually move. Albeit a little creepy with their tails and claws moving about as they roar at passersby, the show is guaranteed to wow audiences.

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If you’re not impressed by hyper-realistic dinos and prefer superheroes, head down to the Hall of Super Heroes.

The show is packed with interactive displays and games that will push you to your limits to test your super hero potential.

Last but not least, the fair will host an exhibit that pays tribute to The Beatles to mark the 51st anniversary of Red Robinson introducing the Fab Four at Empire Stadium,

An exclusive 200-item collection of rare and never before viewed Beatles memorabilia will be showcased at “The Magical History Tour.”

“They’re kind of like the classical music of the 21st century…but their music just keeps going, and going, and going,” said Beatles memorabilia collector Jim Cushman.

John Lennon’s Rolls Royce, the band’s original break-up letter and the album John Lennon autographed for Mark David Chapman hours before Chapman murdered Lennon, are some of the items featured in the exhibit.

The fair is also debuting a new feature this year for those who look forward to the rides more than anything else.

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“We are doing a Rapid Ride Pass, very limited each day, but after  your ride pass, you can buy a $20 rapid pass. [It] gets you to the front of the line for 10 of our biggest rides,” said Mike McDaniel, President and CEO of PNE.

Drawing up to 800,000 visitors, the fair is estimated to bring $140 million into the Metro Vancouver economy.

Apart from new attractions, the fair also has an impressive line-up of concerts, including Daryl Hall and John Oates, the Beach Boys and others.

-With files from Jennifer Palma

 

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