PNE Fair returns with wine pairings and crowd favourites

One of Vancouver’s oldest summer traditions begins this weekend.

Wine pairings with classic fair food are among the newest attractions organizers of the Pacific National Exhibition are promising when The Fair opens on Saturday.

The expert advice on how to choose the right glass of white with say, fried pickles, burgers or mini-donuts, is one of the ways the exhibition is trying to entice people back to the fair.

“I think it’s so important that we have something new each and every year and something new for each member of the family,” said PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance.

“Our core demographic here at the PNE is two to 92, and everybody in-between.”

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Wine will be served in the Chalet, where pairings are suggested. The food can be then purchased from venders throughout the fair grounds.

“You do not need champagne and caviar to pair wine,” said wine specialist Carissa Palangio.

“You can pair wine with anything you have in your fridge and anything that we sell at The Fair.”

Beyond food and drink, new features include an interactive sports exhibit, like outdoor hockey, and a full concert lineup with performances by Counting Crows, Flo Rida, Meghan Trainor and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The PNE runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 1, and will be closed on Aug. 18 and 25.