The Washington State Fair is consistently listed in the top 10 largest fairs in the United States and has a long history dating back to its inception in 1900. Originally known as the "Valley Fair" it has gone by many names over the decades including the Western Washington Fair and the Puyallup Fair before adopting the name of Washington State Fair in 2013.

The Washington State Fair is home to many thrilling and classic fairgrounds attractions including the ACE Coaster Landmark - Classic Coaster. Built in 1935 as a side friction model by John A. Miller, the coaster quickly became a fair icon. In 1950 Walker LeRoy updated the track design to accommodate new trains that were purchased from the defunct Giant Dipper at Happyland Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, these are the only Frederick Church-designed coaster trains still in operation. Classic Coaster continues to offer a ride experience that qualifies for the ACE Coaster Classic designation status, and the coaster celebrated its 90th anniversary this past season. Classic Coaster remains as the only permanent wooden fairgrounds roller coaster still operating in the United States.

The fair is also home to a permanent Schwarzkopf Wildcat, the only portable PTC carousel left in operation (PTC #43), and a Von Roll Skyride which was relocated from the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair and is the only one still in operation which uses the smaller two-seater cabins. The fair partners with Funtastic Rides to bring in many other fairgrounds staples, including additional portable coasters, a Chance Zipper, a HUSS Enterprise, and an extremely rare Zierer Hexentanz flat ride known as "Inferno" among many other attractions.

ACE Northwest is hosting a post-conference event at the State Fair on Sunday, September 6, directly following the Preservation Conference. In addition to experiencing Classic Coaster with fellow enthusiasts, a special presentation by the long time fair historian Patty Herman has been arranged. Members are encouraged to keep an eye out for registration via the ACE website to add on this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) was founded in 1910 and was designed as a showcase of British Columbia to the rest of Canada. It was the second largest event of its kind in North America, behind the New York State Fair. The PNE quickly developed into a small amusement park, which in 1926 became known as "Happyland." In 1958 the rides were relocated to a different section of Hastings Park and reopened as Playland with the notable addition of the wooden coaster known simply as Coaster.

The wooden roller coaster at the PNE, built by Carl Phare and Walker LeRoy opened in 1958 and remains the oldest operating roller coaster in Canada. The coaster was the final and only remaining work by Carl Phare and notably incorporated his favorite elements of past projects, including numerous ejector airtime hills and a classic fan-curve element producing strong lateral forces. The trains were originally designed with nine-row benches complete with a simple lap bar allowing for "standing airtime" making it a beloved must-ride in the coaster enthusiast community. The trains were rebuilt in 2022, which included an addition of a lap belt to comply with modern safety standards. Even with the addition of the lap belts enthusiasts have found a way to continue getting strong airtime and forceful laterals on this truly amazing coaster!

PNE/Playland also is home to three other coasters, including two designed for children and a relocated Intamin/Zamperla launch coaster known as ThunderVolt. The park also boasts a large collection of flat rides, including an S&S drop tower with stunning views, a haunted house with incredible sets, and the last operational HUSS Topspin in North America. The park transitions to the PNE for the month of August and ends operations on Labor Day weekend, making this a golden opportunity for anyone attending the ACE 2026 Preservation Conference to experience this park and it's incredible lineup of attractions! Do note that anyone traveling to PNE/Playland from the United States will need a valid U.S. passport to cross the Washington/British Columbia border, and it is recommended to check traffic beforehand as border crossings can be quite long on holiday weekends. The exhibition itself is a massive draw and can be quite crowded. Members should plan to arrive early to beat the massive crowds that this event draws each year.