Following its highly successful Fair Drive-Thru Experiences, the Pacific National Exhibition is proud to announce its October plans for Halloween fun at the PNE for fans of all ages.
Halloween Fun at the PNE
“Halloween is an incredibly important part of the year for everyone here at the PNE,” says President and CEO Shelley Frost, “and we’ve had a lot of questions and interest in our plans for 2020, given the situation with COVID-19. I’m really proud that our team has developed two very unique experiences for a wide range of guests. Although it is not possible to host our traditional Fright Nights, we have a new haunting experience and chilling décor for our young adult Fright Night fans and this year we will have a separate experience on-site aimed at children and parents who are limited in their trick-or-treat options due to the pandemic.”
Slayland at the PNE
Dates: October 9-11; October 16-18; October 22-25; October 29-31. Times: 6:00pm to 10:00pm Admission: Oct 9-25 $39.50 and Oct 29-31 $44.50 (admission includes complimentary mask, while quantities last, and all fees and taxes)
Although the Fright Nights haunted houses are not possible during COVID-19, Playland is thrilled to announce that as of October 9th the park will be transformed into Slayland – Night of a Thousand Screams. It will feature twenty rides, including The Beast, the iconic Wooden Roller Coaster, the Atmosfear and a walk-through outdoor haunted experience and chilling décor throughout the park. Slayland is the first time in the PNE Halloween event history that guests will be allowed to wear costumes. There will be themes for costumes each weekend, from retro to superheroes. While costumes are allowed, please note that face paint and costume masks are not allowed, and COVID-19 masks will continue to be required in all queues and while on attractions.
A Taste of the PNE Drive-Thru: Tricks-and-Treats Edition
When: October 30 & 31, 2020 book a time slot 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Admission: $25 per carload, includes one trick-or-treat bag of goodies, additional treat filled bags can purchased for $15 each (prices include all fees and taxes)
This family-oriented experience will include live spooky characters, Halloween décor, and safe trick-or-treating for the little ghouls and goblins. Admission includes the drive-thru experience as well as a trick-or-treat bag with a selection of mini PNE goodies that includes a Halloween-themed candy apple, treat-sized popcorn, mini cotton candy, mini donuts and packaged candy. This event is for the kids and families who are not quite ready for Slayland – Night of a Thousand Screams.
It’s not everyday that a Tea Sommelier delivers High Tea to my door! This afternoon Satbir from Sattea Loose Teas brought me a lovely box packed with savoury sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats.
Sattea Loose Teas
Satbir has been in the tea business since 2003 and Sattea, which she operates with her mother Satnam, is known for High Tea catering services for medium to large parties. In this time of COVID, where events have mostly gone virtual, they’ve gone mobile, bringing Metro Vancouverites High Tea and more treats to go.
Each box comes with your choice of three sandwiches or savouries, two scones, choice of three desserts, and signature loose leaf tea. Vegan, Gluten Free and vegetarian options are also available. You can also order cakes for delivery (including coconut pineapple or raspberry almond), tea tins, and scones or desserts by the platter.
My High Tea To Go box
Browse the expertly curated collection or organic teasonline, which includes caffeine-free, rooibos, Earl Grey, white tea, maté, oolong and many more. Order for yourself, or to share with your bubble friends and family.
Win High Tea To Go from Sattea
I’m giving away a High Tea To Go (for one) that includes a the signature assortment of savouries and sweets, and features Cinnamon Orange Spice Rooibos for fall. The winner will also get a 20% discount code to share with their friends and family. Here’s how you can enter to win:
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
UPDATE: The winner is Kim+Rees!
Must be within Metro Vancouver; vegan or GF available for the winner; certain dietary restrictions may not be accommodated as part of the prize; must be redeemed/booked for delivery by October 30, 2020.
The October lineup for the Vancouver Fringe Festival is here! Fresh off a hugely successful first mini festival, and a safe and exciting return to live theatre, the next batch of programming takes place October 1-10 on Granville Island at Performance Works with a maximum capacity of 50.
Vancouver Fringe Festival 2020
When: September 10 to 20; October 1 to 10; October 29 to November 8; and tentatively November 26 to December 6.
Tickets: Single ticket prices start at $15 and the Fringe membership fee, which is required to purchase festival tickets, starts at $7.
Where: Online and in person (limited). In order to meet the guidelines laid out in the BC Restart Plan, the in-person, concentrated festival events will be held at fewer venues and with social distancing in place (maximum capacity of 50).
For the first time, the Vancouver Writers Festival (“VWF”) will have 100% online programming and will offer a pay-what-you-can model for its lineup of 40 events.
Vancouver Writers Festival
While there will be special events starting this month, through December, the 2020 Festival Week will run from October 19 to 25, 2020, with multiple events per day featuring some of the season’s hottest authors, including six of this year’s Giller Prize nominees: Thomas King, Emma Donoghue, Francesca Ekwuyasi, Michelle Good, Annabel Lyon, and Emily St. John Mandel.
VWF Members have the option to buy a $100 Festival Pass which includes access to all events during Festival Week (October 19–25). All youth events are free.
This Friday, as BC Culture Days kick off, join the Stand Up for Mental Health (“SMH”) crew for a hilarious online show. Comics are all alumni of the SMH Comedy Program, an award-winning program teaching stand up comedy to people with mental health issues as a way of building confidence and fighting public stigma.
Stand Up for Mental Health
When: Friday, September 25, 2020 at 7:00pm Where: Online Tickets: FREE! Register here.
Stand Up for Mental Health 15th anniversary
COVID has been a major challenge to people’s mental health because it has caused more feelings of isolation than ever.
SMH makes a huge difference in the lives of their comics and also to the community by showing them a totally different perspective on mental health. The shows are hilarious, and they’re a great way to educate the public about what it means to have a mental health condition — what better way to learn about such a serious subject then through comedy?
“Together we’ve trained close to 200 comics, done approximately 300 shows some of which we put on ourselves but other organizations also hire us to do shows to raise awareness about mental health,” Founder David Granirer wrote on Facebook for the SMH 15th anniversary last winter.
“We’ve preformed for the military, corrections facilities, government, corporations, universities, colleges and we’ve been part of med school curriculums. So I want to thank the comics, our board, our donors, our sponsors, and all the audiences who have come out and supported us all these years. Here’s to another 15!”
SMH began giving classes in the Vancouver area in 2004 and incorporated as a non-profit society in July 2010. They have a 6 month long level one program plus an alumni program for comics who have finished their level one and want to continue performing. They do approximately 20 shows a year in the Vancouver area for all sorts of different organizations. Register for a class, become a member or learn more about shows here.
