We Went Big For the 125th Year of the Vancouver Island Exhibition!
What better way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Vancouver Island Exhibition then to build the exhibition itself!
We tried recreate the VIEX as accurately as possible, and some of our members even went on a field trip to walk around the fairgrounds. We also used satellite images and the exhibition map to make sure our layout was correct.
Attendees really enjoyed figuring out where they were and often pointed to various minifigures saying, “look, there I am!”. Yes, we even had a miniature version of our display within the display!
We even had people using our model as a map to see where other attractions (and the bathrooms!) were located.
A number of other vendors and exhibitors enjoyed finding their own booths and exhibits in the display.
Two groups couldn’t find themselves so we went home and built a mobile blacksmith shop and a lemonade stand and added them to the fairgrounds. Both groups returned later and absolutely loved that we had included them.
The display came alive with various moving elements from a ferris wheel to a Himalaya ride to freestyle motocross to a midway game.
We included all the main elements from the exhibition grounds including the Home Arts building, the Agriplex, all the animal barns (even the haunted barn!), and the riding ring and stables.
We also included all the main attractions: the Laughing Loggers, Notorious RC races, Pure Wrestling Association, Global FMX Freestyle Motocross, and wood carving.
A fair isn’t complete without a midway and we had lots of great rides and games to entertain fair goers.
While the big kids were having fun on the thrill rides the little kids had their own Family Fun Zone with a straw maze, mini golf, cow milking station, apple bobbing, and water pump races.
After spending time checking out all the attractions and rides, fair goers could grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks and sit back and enjoy a beverage in the family friendly beverage garden while watching one of the many music acts.
This year we brought wacky races and play brick to the VIEX and everyone young and old had lots of fun building and racing their cars and other creations down the ramp.
If you didn’t make it out to the VIEX check out this video posted on the VIEX Facebook page. We also created our own stop motion video of our setup and take-down.
We will see you next year at the 126th Vancouver Island Exhibition!
