Pacific National Exhibition

The Vancouver Exhibition Association (VEA), the predecessor to the Pacific National Exhibition organization was first formed in 1907; although the association was not incorporated until 18 June 1908. The VEA had petitioned Vancouver City Council to host a fair at Hastings Park; although faced early opposition from the city council and the local jockey club that used the park for horse races. In the initial years of the Second World War, the fairgrounds saw an increased military presence. However, the exhibition itself was not cancelled until 1942, after the Canadian declaration of war against Japan was issued. During 1997-1998, the PNE grounds was transformed with the demolition of a number of buildings including the Food Building, Showmart and the Poultry Building. This gave way to the Sanctuary, a parkland setting with a pond. The pond restored part of a stream that once flowed in the park out to the Burrard Inlet. The city restored a large portion of the park. Many old fair buildings have been demolished and replaced by those of a more natural character. Although land was purchased in Surrey that was to become the fair's new home, the PNE has since transferred ownership from the province to the City of Vancouver and will remain at Hastings Park. The PNE is a registered charity. Two attractions at the PNE were named as heritage sites by the City of Vancouver in August 2013. The Pacific Coliseum and the Wooden Roller Coaster were added to the list. In 2020, the fair went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside other agricultural and county fairs across Canada, including the Calgary Stampede, the Canadian National Exhibition, and K-Days. It returned in 2021 with a smaller version of the fair with limited capacity In the early hours of February 20, 2022, a major fire broke out on PNE grounds, where multiple vehicles, tools and equipment, and buildings were destroyed as a result. Breakout Festival riot In September of 2022 the PNE Amphitheatre hosted the two day rap and hip-hop festival known as Breakout Festival. On the second day of the festival fights broke out inside and outside the venue, and vandalism occurred when concert-goers became hostile following an announcement that the headliner, American rapper Lil Baby, would not be taking the stage. After a major police response was launched and the riot was stopped, seven people were arrested and the venue suffered millions of dollars of property damages, although no major injuries were reported. In September 19, 2023, a year after the riot, the Vancouver Police Department charged an additional 15 people with crimes related to the riot following an extensive investigation which included reviewing and analyzing video posted to social media by attendees. ==Grounds==

The Pacific National Exhibition occupies approximately at Hastings Park, a municipal park in the Hastings–Sunrise neighbourhood. Gardens at the PNE grounds include an Italian garden and Momiji Commemorative Garden; the latter serving as a memorial for the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Another memorial located on the park grounds is dedicated to the 29th Battalion, (Vancouver), CEF, an infantry battalion whose lineage is perpetuated by the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own). Approximately of Hastings Park is not managed by the Pacific National Exhibition. Rollerland is a exhibition, banquet hall and venue for the Terminal City Roller Derby. Other buildings on the PNE grounds includes the Livestock Barns, a large multi-use facility, and the organization's administrative offices. Demolished buildings • Armed Services Display Building (1950s) • Aquarium • Athletic Field (1910) • Baby Dipper • Band Stand • 1950s BC Pavilion; later BC Sports Hall of Fame • Dining Hall • Dip the Dips (1915) • Directors' Dining Room • Display Barn • District Display Exhibit • Empire Stadium (1954); later Empire lot and now Empire Field (and maintained by the Vancouver Parks Board) • Feed Store • Ferryboat Wharf (1910) • Food Building (a.k.a. Pure Foods Building, 1931); now part of the Sanctuary parkland • Forestry Hall (1913) • Fountain • Giant Dipper • Grandstand (1910) • Green House • Happyland Carousel Building • Horticultural Building • Industrial Building (1910); later as the Women's Building • Livestock Judging Pavilion • Manufacturers' Building; also Machinery Hall and later Transportation Building (1910) • Mineral Exhibit • Miniature Railway • Post Office • Poultry & Pigeon building (1950s) • Press Bureau • Pure Foods Building (1931) now the Italian Gardens • Race Track and Stables (around 1905) • Racing Paddock • Refreshment Stands • Sheep Stables • Shoot the Chutes • Showmart (1931); now part of the Italian Gardens • Skid Road (Midway) (1910) • Stable Restaurant • Stock Judging Building • Streetcar Station (1910) • Swine Building (1950s) • Vaudeville Stage Access and Renfrew Street The PNE grounds has several entrances or "gates," including the red gate off East Hastings Street and Renfrew Street, and the purple gate off East Hastings Street. Both gates are situated in the southern portion of the PNE grounds, with the latter gate also the main entrance to Playland. Several gates are located in the northern portion of the PNE grounds, with the yellow gate situated off Renfrew Street near the Pacific Coliseum, while the green gate is located along Miller Drive. There exists several parking lots on site, with two parking lots off Renfrew Street and another off Bridgeway Street. The PNE also operates another parking lot south of Playland, across East Hastings. The PNE also operates a valet service for cyclists. ==See also==