The 2017 VIEx in Nanaimo Has Everything You Love About BC!
The Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEx) is celebrating 123 years of great family fun, education, and community excitement. That’s right… 123 years! It’s the biggest and oldest event in Nanaimo!
Think about British Columbia in the summer sunshine and Nanaimo is pretty much the quintessential image. Huge trees, mountain views, green parks, pretty homes, ocean water, boats, ferries, a carnival full of rides and games… OMG, we can’t wait!
The Best and Biggest VIEx Yet
Make sure you don’t miss the 2017 VIEx from August 18th through 20th at Nanaimo’s famous Beban Park. Here’s your Google map for it.
Over 20,000 people attended the VIEx last year! That’s a huge high-five for this grand event! Well, it’s going to be even BIGGER. The VIEx is expanding to include the Beban Park soccer fields and will be repositioning the stage and beer gardens to really spice things up. PLUS, there will be a great commercial display from local businesses at the Frank Crane Arena in the Beban Park Recreation Centre.
Even More to See and Do Than Ever Before
This year’s VIEX theme is ‘There’s Magic in the Fair’. They’re not wrong. Expect it all at the 2017 VIEx. Live entertainment, art exhibitions, animal shows, competitions, logger sports, vintage tractors, amusement rides, fair food, and much more!
The entertainment headliners have just been announced: Led Zepagain, Doc Walker, and Odds.
Check the main stage lineup and schedule here.
PLUS…
- ‘Canada 150 – A Step Back in Time’ – an awesome display of heritage.
- Project Platinum singing and dancing talent search for kids!
- Vancouver Island Coastal Cowgirls putting on a show.
- Strathcona Mounted Troop showing how the cavalry does things.
- Meet llamas, alpacas and mini-horses.
- Cheer on your favourites at the dog agility show.
- Visit the awesome Mid-Island Vintage Tractor and Equipment Club.
- Kids and teen zones.
- Haunted House.
- ‘King of the EX’ professional wrestling championship on Saturday 19th.
- Skateboard competitions.
- Jaw-dropping roller derby demonstrations.
- Gold panning and sheep herding.
- Huge variety of art exhibitions, craft displays, and workshops.
Rides, Games and Food!
It’s a not a real BC summer carnival without thrilling rides for the adrenaline junkies, cute rides to make the little ones beam, midway games for everyone to laugh at, and food like the famous mini-donuts!
Speaking of food… this year sees the inaugural Ribfest! Over 200 tables and 1,200 seats will be set out for everyone to enjoy smearing themselves with delicious ribs and BBQ sauce from ear to ear!
Come try the scrumptious homemade jams, jellies, cookies and pies at the vendors’ stands! Plus a great big food court offering all kinds of fare.
Discount and Even FREE Midway Rides!
Shooting Star’s midway is always a hit with everyone. We’ll have it all with us from the merry-go-rounds to extreme rides to the Ferris Wheel. Find us at Beban Park – 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo – for all three days of VIEX.
Be sure to get our best admission deal with our convenient wristbands! On Friday and Sunday, a $30-wristband gives you great savings to ride any ride all day long! If you prefer to buy individual tickets, here’s a tip…buy them in books to save you both time and money!
Getting to Nanaimo and Parking
The Vancouver Island Exhibition is a humongous event that concentrates everything amazing about British Columbia all in the stunning city of Nanaimo. The ferry ride alone from the Lower Mainland is worth the trip. So gorgeous. But we highly recommend that you buy ferry tickets in advance through BC Ferries, especially if you’re bringing a vehicle. This is the busiest ferry time of the year, so reserve a place to avoid disappointment.
Speaking of vehicles, parking is only $2 onsite.
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
Get the latest news and information through the VIEx Facebook page and tantalize your kids with the attractions they can expect.
We can’t wait for this amazing bash! See you in stunning Nanaimo at the 2017 VIEx!
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