The Fair at the PNE has been a staple in Vancouver for over 100 years and it returns this year with all-time favourites, new fun and food offerings, and a sizzling hot PNE Summer Night Concerts lineup!
The Fair at the PNE
The PNE Fair is back on from August 20 to September 5, 2022 with the Stars of the Peking Acrobats, SuperDogs, Flying Fools High Dive Show, BCAA ToonCity shows, Dueling Pianos, Electric Fire, For the Love of Drag tribute show, and Coca-Cola Stage bands.
The Fair continues to be the best part of summer, where you can fill up on all the treats you can eat, learn about agriculture, experience thrill rides, watch chef demonstrations on the Safeway Cooking Stage, and experience Metro Vancouver’s Together We Make Our Region Strong showcase.
PNE Summer Night Concerts 2022
At the GMC Stage at the PNE Amphitheatre, don’t miss The B-52s Farewell Tour, followed by quintessential Canadian acts: Blue Rodeo, Bachman Cummings, and the Barenaked Ladies with special guest Kim Mitchell.
Hip Hop fans can groove to shows by Nelly, and TLC & Shaggy, while country fans will be entertained by Brothers Osborne. Take a trip down memory lane with R&B classics by living legends Chaka Khan & Patti LaBelle.
International Stars of Drag take to the stage for A Night of True Colours in an all-ages extravaganza hosted by Ginger Minj and featuring Vancouver’s own Kendall Gender.
Plus: Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Cake, Gipsy Kings Feat. Nicolas Reyes, and The Beach Boys. And the largest group of musicians – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – round out this year’s exciting line-up with their tribute to the Beatles.
The B-52s Farewell Tour Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Steve Miller Band Tue, Aug 30, 2022
Blue Rodeo Sun, Aug 21, 2022
TLC & Shaggy Wed, Aug 31, 2022
Barenaked Ladies with Kim Mitchell Tue, Aug 23, 2022
Brothers Osborne Thu, Sep 1, 2022
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Thu, Aug 25, 2022
Nelly Fri, Sep 2, 2022
Stars of Drag Fri, Aug 26, 2022
BACHMAN CUMMINGS Sat, Sep 3, 2022
Gipsy Kings Feat. Nicolas Reyes Sat, Aug 27, 2022
The Beach Boys Sun, Sep 4, 2022
Chicago Sun, Aug 28, 2022
Chaka Khan & Patti LaBelle Mon, Sep 5, 2022
PNE Summer Nights Concerts pre-sale is this Thursday, May 26th at 10:00am and regular tickets will be on sale through TicketLeader on Friday, May 27 at 10:00am. Note: Concert tickets do not include Fair Gate Admission. You will also need to purchase a date specific Fair Gate Admission separately. PNE Insiders get access to the pre-sale, sign up for their newsletter and never miss an update!
Dragon Boat BC has announced the 2022 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival lineup with free main stage concerts Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 along with a full slate of programming throughout the weekend:
When: Public festival programming takes place on June 25 to 26, 2022
Racer-only events on June 24
Where: Concord Pacific Place and Creekside Park around False Creek in Vancouver
As the continent’s largest dragon boat festival, the free public event will feature much-anticipated international dragon boat races on False Creek and cultural programming.
The festival’s main stage lineup features one of Chinatown’s oldest traditional music ensembles and groups representing Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh communities; reflecting the organization’s goal to respect the roots of where it comes from, and protocols of the territories where the event is held.
Music and Performer Lineup
Saturday, June 25 The Zolas, Hotel Mira, Mauvey, Children of Takaya, Dacey, Ludic, AHSIA, Eagle Song Dancers, Qing Yun Music Society
Sunday, June 26 Desirée Dawson, Tonye Aganaba, Coastal Wolf Pack, COCO JAFRO, Best Night Ever, Niña Mendoza
The festival will also feature a significant new addition as part of its programming, supported by Concord Pacific and the Province of BC (to be announced June 9th).
Races, Food, Shopping
Of course the main event, the dragon boat racing, will be on the water from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily, with races running approximately every 11 minutes. Most races are 500m races starting from around Cambie Bridge and ending near the Main Stage. Look for on-site screens for the livestream and race commentary, and look for Race Result towers to see the day’s schedules.
There will be cultural programs on site so visitors can learn about the community’s heritage, and how it intersects with the story of the modern dragon boat festival. Located along Creekside Park South between Main Street and Creekside Community Centre, hear from the original inhabitants of these territories, and hear myths behind the dragon boat festival’s foundation and arrival in Vancouver.
When it comes to food, why not enjoy one of the province’s most scenic patios – right at Creekside Park! Pick up a drink (photo ID required) from the beverage garden, and enjoy a bite from one of the many food trucks located at Creekside Park North.
You can also pick up a souvenir of the Festival, or support a local vendor across the entire site.
About the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society
The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society is the non-profit organizer of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival – the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club – Canada’s largest paddling club.
The Society also produces a series of races, cultural programming, and community initiatives centred around the traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat. Through its All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes paddling experiences accessible regardless of any barriers to participation.
Megaphone Magazine has launched its 12th-annual special literary edition, Voices of the Street — Stealing Looks at the Sun: Writing about Climate Change in 2022 — showcasing the literary talents of marginalized writers in Vancouver.
Voices of the Street and Megaphone Vendor Stephen Scott – Photo submitted
“When I ventured too far up a tree, my father would catch me stealing looks at the sun, aware that the sky was certainly my heaven.” – JT Sandu (a.k.a. Ruby Diamond)
This past year, new phrases such as “heat dome”, “polar vortex” and “atmospheric river”’ entered our vocabularies as the elements that make up our world — Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Aether — cried out for us to accept what experts have been saying for years: Climate change is here.
So climate change is also here, on the pages of the 2022 Voices of the Streetliterary anthology.
Writers included in this year’s edition express the many challenges linked to the constellation of inequalities that come from a life lived in poverty. They are often the people closest to the ground during natural disasters and the ones least-equipped — at least economically — to navigate upheavals brought about by climate crises.
Stealing Looks at the Sun: Writing About Climate Change in 2022 features 34 powerful contributions from these writers, whose work reflects on memories of time spent in Haida Gwaii, contemplations on the mystery of crows and hummingbirds, recollections of surviving natural disasters, urgent calls for government action… and so much more.
For the second year, the anthology also features beautiful full-colour photographs taken by two community photographers, Priscillia Mays Tait and Mike McNeeley.
“Voices of the Street provides a platform for creative expression by those least likely to be heard: people surviving in the midst of poverty, inadequate housing, physical and mental illness, substance use disorders and other challenges,” says Megaphone Managing Editor Paula Carlson. “These are the residents in our communities who are silenced by stigma, so Megaphone seeks out and showcases their stories.”
In addition to buying Voices of the Street for $10 from vendors in Vancouver and Victoria, Megaphone supporters can now purchase this special literary anthology online, along with a copy of the latest Megaphone magazine.
Special Event
When: June 22, 2022 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Where: Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings)
Some of the gifted community writers featured in the book will read their stories, and Mike and Priscillia will speak about their experiences being mentored as photographers. Vancouver’s Poet Laureate Fiona Tinwei Lam will offer a special reading.
Supporters are also encouraged to donate to Megaphone’s Spring Campaign, which will fund ongoing self-determined creative expression opportunities for marginalized people.
Tickets are now available for the Canuck Place Spring 50/50, presented by RE/MAX Agents of the Lower Mainland, to support Canuck Place children and families. Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia and Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 818 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community care (in home/in hospital).
Canuck Place Spring 50/50 Raffle
Tickets: Buy online for 3 for $5, 7 for $10, 50 for $20 or 150 for $50
Anticipated Prize: $500,000 to be split with the winner
Available until midnight Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Ticket Sales End: Wednesday, June 8 at midnight
Draw Date: Friday, June 10 at 11:00am PDT
Tickets can be purchased by British Columbia residents over 19 years of age.
Since 2020, the Canuck Place 50/50 has raised $1,467,780. Half has gone to four lucky winners, and half goes to support exceptional care in Canuck Place hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford, and in communities across BC and the Yukon.
Canuck Place nurses and physicians offer specialized care through the Nancy Chan Enhanced Community Care program. This program ensures families across the entire province have access to Canuck Place care when and where they need it the most. This includes telephone and video conferencing, 24-hour clinical care line, in-home visits by nurse practitioners, and coordinated care planning with local hospital staff in a family’s home community.
For over 25 years, Canuck Place has been providing exceptional complex medical care, while helping children and families embrace living fully with the time they have left together. But not without donor support. That’s where your 50/50 ticket purchase can make a difference.
Canuck Place operates 13 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-hour clinical care line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care. With donors, their talented team, including 400 energetic volunteers, they care for children with short lives and the families who love them.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority today announced its plans for a return to an in-person event for July 1 at Canada Place called Canada Together. The event will include a lineup of entertainment and activities with some significant changes designed to reimagine celebrations in the spirit of reconciliation.
Canada Together in Vancouver July 1st at Canada Place
2022 marks the 36th annual event at Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver, which has historically been the largest Canada Day celebration outside Ottawa. It also marks the beginning of a new direction for the event.
Now named Canada Together, the event has been planned collaboratively with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. From programming to the name and theme itself, the details of the day were carefully considered to create a welcoming experience for all people who live in this country.
The theme this year is “Weaving together the fabric of a nation,” chosen to honour Canada’s diversity and set an intention for the day to gather, celebrate, learn, and share. Weaving is a common activity across many cultures and is a metaphor for the way the beauty, strength, and wisdom from the past can combine through multiple perspectives to create something meaningful for today and tomorrow.
“We are pleased to see the event taking a new direction, and to be collaborating with the port authority to help guide the direction and future of this gathering,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band. “We are proud to build on the inclusion of the culture and history of the three nations on whose traditional territory the event takes place.”
The gathering will feature a full day of festivities, great food, family fun, and performances. At 11:00am, all zones and exhibits, including the Main Stage, will open with great entertainment and activities for guests of all ages. The iconic waterfront venue covers five city blocks and will include the outdoor spaces at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza and surrounding city streets. No programming will take place indoors this year.
“After a long hiatus, the Squamish Nation is excited to help plan out this in-person event again for Canada Day,” said Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams), Councillor and spokesperson for Squamish Nation. “Attendees will learn about the importance of advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across this country, learn about different Indigenous languages and cultures and enjoy spectacular performances by Coast Salish drummers and singers. We hope to see you there on July 1.”
Performances include: Johnny Reid, The Boom Booms, Omega Mighty, Bitterly Divine, Tsatsu Stalqyu (Coastal Wolf Pack), Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) with the West Vancouver Youth Orchestra, and Carsen Grey.
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph will share a special message on behalf of Reconciliation Canada.
“Canada Day and what it means to be Canadian has taken on a new meaning in the last year,” says Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas. “Working alongside our relatives at Musqueam and Squamish, as well as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we look forward to working together on creating an inclusive event that showcases Tsleil-Waututh and Coast Salish history, culture, and values. We look forward to celebrating and sharing a piece of our community with the general public on July 1st, 2022.”
Featured Entertainment Zones
World Zone (North Point of Canada Place): A gathering of performances, exhibits, and demonstrations from different cultures around the world. Featuring performances from Aché Brasil and Lazy Syrup Orchestra featuring Ashleigh Ball.
Kids’ Zone (Jack Poole Plaza): Family friendly kids’ entertainers and activities, including the Rock N’ Beau Dance Party, the annual mascot dance-off, and performances from Mom Bop, Will’s Jams, and more.
Canadian Forces Zone (Harbour Green Park): Interactive displays and exhibits that recognize Canada’s Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Experience the multi-cultural tastes of Canada with a variety of food trucks along Canada Place Way.
After careful consideration, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has made the decision not to bring back the evening fireworks display for July 1 at Canada Place, due to rising costs for events, safety, and security. Instead, resources are being redirected into the daytime event.
Volunteer Call Out
Every year, more than 200 volunteers help welcome over 200,000 guests who take part in the free event activities organized around Canada Place on July 1. View the list of opportunities online here.
