PNE to keep traditional late August dates

Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) will be keeping its traditional late August time slot for the foreseeable future.

In recent years, fair organizers have been considering holding the fair in late July, instead of the traditional 17 days leading up to Labour Day, citing changing weather patterns.

But after consultation with fairgoers and vendors, organizers say the end-of-summer dates came out on top.

PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance said in a statement that, while moving to July would likely mean better weather, there were concerns from vendors about routing schedules and staffing availability.

Tradition was also a factor.

"I think it's also important to note that the fair's historical position as an end-of-summer tradition for generations of British Columbians is one that we take very seriously," Ballance said in the statement.

The PNE is 107 years old, having been first held in 1910. Organizers say the fair gets more than threemillion visitors a year.