Everybody loves a fair

Horsing around will be encouraged as community members congregate in Beban Park for NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 summer fair this weekend.

The Vancouver Island Exhibition takes place Friday to Sunday, Aug. 25-27, at BebanB次元官网网址檚 fairgrounds.

The VIEX will be a celebration of agriculture, but also a summer fair filled with diversions such as a midway with rides and games, food trucks, a full slate of musical performers and other entertainment and family activities.

Horse owners can take part in the Obstacle Trail Challenge Playday on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 set up for horses, so anyone with a horse can enter. ItB次元官网网址檚 our first time doing it, so it will be interesting B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 basically some fun games for the horses, there are some obstacles to go through,B次元官网网址� said Michelle Solloway, VIEX spokesperson.

Registration is required, as are helmets for riders aged 18 years and younger.

Another sure-fire crowd-pleaser will be motocross action presented by GlobalFMX.

B次元官网网址淭hey do crazy jumps and flips and all kinds of tricks way up in the air and itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun,B次元官网网址� said Solloway. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a big draw, and theyB次元官网网址檙e good at hyping everyone up so they put on a good show.B次元官网网址�

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Live music is always a big VIEX draw and headlining Saturday is Juno Award-winning country music star George Canyon who hits the main stage at 9:30 p.m. with B.C.-born Chris Andres opening at 8 p.m., and Solloway said there will be tribute bands of some notable groups.

B次元官网网址淥n Friday night thereB次元官网网址檚 a tribute to the Tragically Hip and a tribute to Heart,B次元官网网址� said Solloway. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an AC/DC group, theyB次元官网网址檙e TNT B次元官网网址� the Bon Scott Revue, because they do Bon Scott-era tributes. Then we have an Eagles tribute on Saturday. ThereB次元官网网址檚 an Alice in Chains tribute and then a Stone Temple Pilots [tribute].B次元官网网址�

In July, the VIEX announced that the barns on the fairgrounds were condemned, but Solloway said organizers have made adjustments to accommodate livestock.

B次元官网网址淥ur poultry, rabbits and [guinea pigs] will be in the Centennial Building B次元官网网址� then we have goats and sheep and a petting farm and horses down on the grounds outside,B次元官网网址� she said.

The fair could stand to have a few more volunteers, but regardless, organizers are ready.

B次元官网网址淭he board has worked really hard and itB次元官网网址檚 been a bit of a different year for us with the barns closing, but weB次元官网网址檝e rallied together and I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be really great,B次元官网网址� Solloway said.

Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for youths and seniors and $5 for children 12 and under. Children six and under get in for for free.

For more information, visit .

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