PNE desperate for visitors after windstorm, cold weather

Officials with Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition are once again offering free admission to try tosalvage the 105th edition of the fair.

That's because PNE President and CEO Mike McDaniel says the windstorm on August 29, which knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people in the Lower Mainland, has had a lasting impact on the annual fair.

"The first five operating days of the fair saw the strongest attendance in a decade," he said in a statement. "[We] did not anticipate the impact that would be felt across our region after the rain hit...and the turbulent weather continued until the following Thursday."

The fair actually closed its gates during the windstorm, but promptly re-opened the turnstiles an hour later after Environment Canada downgraded wind forecasts.

But the damage was done to attendance, especially as five days of wet and cold weather effectively ended summer in Vancouver.

"The fair was unable to recover its opening momentum," said the PNE's statement.

100,000 guests

That leaves Sunday and Labour Day for the fair to try and get 100,000 people through the gates to makeup the loss.

Guests arriving between 11 and 2 p.m. PT Sundaywill not be charged admission.

"This is about calling on British Columbia to come out during this incredibly challenging time in our history and support our non-profit BC institution," said McDaniel.

238,530 guests visted the PNEduring the opening five days, 20,000 more thanwhat was expected.