The PNE is a time for family fun but for one Vancouver family it resulted in the loss of an important family heirloom.
Last Tuesday a 65-year-old woman lost her jade, heart-shaped pendant near the PNE entrance around 11 a.m.
Her daughter, who wishes to remain anonymous, says while the pendant is not particularly expensive it has great sentimental value. Her mother has worn the pendant for over 50 years.
Its disappearance is especially devastating, as they have endured the loss of two close family members within the last 18 months.
“It really is the last link to the past,” she says.
She says her parents have been going to the PNE almost every year since 1986 and have never had anything lost or stolen before.
“This is just a really terrible loss.”
She says it is unclear whether the pendant was lost or stolen but its loss has had a great effect on her mother.
“My mother hasn’t really left the house since because she’s afraid,” she says.
The family’s main concern is finding the necklace and they are offering a monetary reward for its return, no questions asked.
“My mom is heartbroken and whether she lost it on her own accord or it was taken from her person, it doesn’t matter. We only want it back,” she says.
PNE’s Laura Ballance says that lost items at the fair are quite common but are usually returned. Items that are not claimed are donated to charities.
Last year tourists visiting from the U.S. lost a wallet with over $5,000 in cash that was safely returned.
“If you can imagine it, it’s there,” Ballance said of lost and found items. The most common items include cameras, phones, glasses and jackets.
However when it comes to theft she says those reports are much less common.
“Something not being turned in might be more the case,” she says.
The PNE says it is keeping an eye out for the lost pendant and the family has also notified the police.
If you have found or have any information about the pendant please contact the PNE or police.
