The midway of the CNE, with the CN Tower in the background.
Photo Credit: CBC

Canadian National Exhibition on for 136th season

Canada’s largest fair, the Canadian National Exhibition, opened for the 136th season this past Friday.

What many may think began as an agricultural fair in 1879, actually began as the Toronto Industrial Fair and was proudly considered the “showcase of the nation.”

‘The Ex’

For years people have predicted the demise of ‘The Ex’, as it’s affectionately known, with other amusement parts in the Greater Toronto Area, and so many other attractions in Canada’s biggest city, but somehow the crowds still come.

Last year, the 18-day event drew 1.36 million visitors. For generations of children in Toronto, the celebration along the shore of Lake Ontario was the harbinger of the end of summer, and the last hurrah before school started the day after the Labour Day holiday.

Thrills, tastes and smells

There’s something for everyone at the CNE.  Whether it’s the amazing rides, like the new zip line across the site, or the venerable Ferris Wheel. People can admire the animals, the plants and garden exhibits, or check out the latest labour-saving device in the Better Living Centre.

The Food Building is always a big draw, although there are stricter rules in place this year, following last year’s Cronut catastrophe.  More than 200 people got sick after trying the infamous “Cronut Burger”.  It was discovered that the jam used in the cross of the croissant and the donut, was contaminated.  This year, Toronto Public Health is reviewing the preparation, transportation and storage of the more than 1,000 licensed food vendors, and putting 20 inspectors on site.

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Bacon-wrapped chicken marinated in Coca-Cola, anyone? © CBC

People used to wait all year to have a waffle ice-cream sandwich. But the concoctions have gotten a lot more exotic over the years.  The bacon-wrapped Mars chocolate bar was a hit in 2012.  This year chef Andrew Motta, of Bacon Nation, will be serving up bacon-wrapped chicken marinated in Coke.  You don’t want to be getting on the Tilt-a-Whirl after a meal of that!

And in keeping with the 100th anniversary of World War One, this year’s Canadian International Air Show, celebrating its own 65th anniversary, will feature six World War One aircraft in a special flying demonstration.  That takes place Labour Day Weekend.

The fair was cancelled from 1942 through to 1946, when the Exhibition Place grounds served as a training site for the Second World War.  This year the Warrior’s Day Parade took place on Saturday morning.  The longest-running verteran’s parade has been a tradition of the CNE since 1921.

This year Canadian singer Tom Cochrane is one of the entertainers, as is Jose Feliciano, the Amazing Kreskin and the Flying Wallendas.  And in the ongoing evolution of Toronto, there are now two prayer-rooms on site to accommodate everyone.

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