By N.Ebrahim
2022 PNE fair after a two-year pandemic, kicks off on Aug 20 welcoming 300 members from BC 4-H for its festival from 20 – 23, with the theme of “homecoming”. The fair now in its 112th year runs till September 5. In addition to its returning favorites, with a roster of diverse entertainment highlights, including aerial maneuvers of the Stars of the Peking Acrobats. A visual and performing arts showcase will be presented by the Canoe Cultural Society, whose members were present to share a gift with PNE CEO Shelly Frost at the media pre-event before the opening. This year will also mark the 45th anniversary of the Superdogs, as they unleash Pawvengers. Also highlight of this year, in addition to the summer night concerts on the GMC stage with sensational performances in Pop, Rock, and R&B, running every evening in the Amphitheatre, a fully paid venue.
Squamish Nation Hereditary Chief Mike Billy Sr, who is also a seventh-generation carver was also present at the event where a forty-foot canoe project by the society is being crafted from west coast cedar. Also present were Alvin Martin Jr., an 8th generation Squamish Nation canoe carver, and Reeva Billy an intern at Canoe Cultures from the nation. She spoke about the work, as they build and carve traditional dugout and cedar strip racing canoes, also known as war canoes. This year’s fair will also be marked with an opening and a closing prayer ceremony by the First Nations.