Today is the day…the administration is almost all complete.

The countdown is on to the finals of Red Robinson’s Talent Showdown. Today, each of the finalists will take the stage for their last 4 minutes as they all vie for the $10,000 grand prize.

It has truly been an amazing 14 days of competition.

Throughout the last two week, some of the onstage entertainment has been courtesy of our two humorous hosts; Red Robinson, himself and Adera Angelucci.  Referring to themselves as the Regis & Kelly Show, their witty banter and hilarious impromptu skits have provided a nice flow through the transition of performers.

As we wait until 3:30 pm to see who is crowned the grand champion, we are all on the edge of our seats.

It is very exciting.

The Fair at the PNE is a long haul, but the Entertainment Department definitely has fun in the process. Over the years, some fun and strange traditions have emerged within our department.

Today was ‘Orange Day’. This was founded a number of years ago by our Head Audio, Chris Engleman. It has spread throughout the site. Another yearly tradition takes place tonight as the IATSE crew organizes a Szechuan Chonquing feast. It’s a welcome break from 17 days of Fair food.

Another favorite is the annual Wine and Cheese night organized by Kevan Bull and Mark Fisher. This event began six years ago as a small gathering of the ‘night’ crew in an office in the Agrodome. It grew to a full-blown party in the Garden Auditorium two years ago that featured a live band (Horse Factory). This year we returned to the roots and had an intimate event on a rainy night in the PRP offices.

This week has also featured the annual creation of the Street Stars video. David Aiken spends most of his free time on site, shooting, directing and editing a behind the scenes video of the Street Stars at the Fair. We just finished our scene in the office. The production values continue to rise on this endeavor.

Lastly, the beginning of the end of the Fair is near as tomorrow morning is the annual ‘pot luck’ breakfast with the ‘morning’ crew and the Dal Richards Orchestra at the Amphitheatre. This usually signals not only the end of the Fair but also when the rain stops.

As the newest member to the PRP team, this is my first summer with the Fair.

From the throngs of eager visitors crowding the sun-filled fairgrounds on opening day, to the multitude of country western (and Hannah Montana) fans cheering for crooner Billy Ray Cyrus, each day contains exciting and memorable moments.

As PRP produces all entertainment for the Fair, including the Summer Night Concert Series, I have been fortunate to meet some of the performing talent.

Today, I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Canadian Country Superstar, George Canyon at a meet & greet for local children living with Type 1 Diabetes.  While on Monday, I met the dance master himself, Kevin Bacon.  Throughout the day, I couldn’t help but sing the tunes from Footloose.  Thankfully, I don’t think anyone heard.

Tomorrow will bring about another exciting experience.  Depending on the length of line-up, I think I will check out The Peking Acrobats.

Just think - we still have 13 days to go…

The Fair at the PNE is, without a doubt, the best part of summer!

As a small town girl, now living in the big city, my country roots are still intact. So, when the opportunity to meet Billy Ray Cyrus came along, I lined up early with my camera in hand. Hearing some of his old songs brought me back to my gravel roads & rodeo roots.  I am looking forward to the remaining country artists in the Concert Series Line Up.

Aaron Pritchett, here I come!

It’s been a long, but successful week as the PNE opened yesterday, on a hot sticky day, with a huge crowd. It was only a week ago that we were in Beijing in the heat and humidity and now the heat has followed us to Vancouver. We produce and manage over 50 shows a day throughout the 17 day Fair. It’s now day two and we should get into a routine soon (until the weather turns).  This year we are wrapping up our evening pyro musical spectacular, Rollin’ Thunder. This is the third year of the show and the crowds keep getting bigger, but it’s time for something new next year.

Well it’s time to go get my daily hot fudge sundae.

It is 6:00pm in China; we are just outside Tiananmen Square.  Throngs of people crowd the street as everyone excitedly awaits the much-anticipated Opening Ceremonies that will start in less than two hours.  Fireworks line the street that lead to the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

Decked out in HBC Team Canada shirts, we anxiously wait for the family members of Canada’s athletes, who will join us at the BC Canada Pavilion to watch the Opening Ceremonies.

There is excitement in the air!

It is the middle of a very busy week as Patrick and I sit across the street from Tiananmen Square, in the BC Canada Pavilion, on the eve of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Just four days ago, we experienced the culture of another sporting event as we produced the Opening Ceremonies of the North American Indigenous Games in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. In between, the load in and rehearsals of the Pacific National Exhibition continue. Patrick, Anna and Heather arrived on Wednesday and had a whirlwind day today with meetings at the Pavilion and Russia House while coordinating talent from Canada for our upcoming events in Beijing. Rob Sondergaard, our colleague from Electric Aura, and I arrived today after leaving the PNE and are now in the midst of a technical load in.

This is our fifth trip to Beijing in the last two years and we have seen massive change over that time. The ultra modern buildings continue to pop up, the new airport works well but unfortunately the air quality is still quite noticeable. The city is alive and buzzing today but the traffic is not moving. It took us two hours to travel from our hotel to the BC Canada Pavilion, which is only about 4 kilometers away. We attempted to get a taxi then got stuck in the subway, then took another taxi but ended up walking amongst thousands, as things were not moving.