IT’S BACK!
After being shuttered the last two years, the grand old dame known as the Canadian National Exhibition returned to Toronto in 2022.
What’s it all about? From Wikipedia:
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Exhibition or The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the third Friday of August leading up to and including Canadian Labour Day, the first Monday in September.
With approximately 1.5 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada’s largest annual fair and the sixth largest in North America.
The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers, and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation.
As Canada has grown as a nation, the CNE has reflected the growth in diversity and innovation, though agriculture and technology remain a large part of the CNE.
For many people in the Greater Toronto Area and the surrounding communities, the CNE is an annual family tradition.
Count us among those who visited The Ex every year. What’s the attraction?
[click on images to enlarge in separate window]
Concerts, for one. The CNE Bandshell hosts big name bands and musicians every night, all free with the price of admission.
Shopping is another draw, with vendors scattered all across the grounds.
In years past, we found good deals on gloves, purses, belts, DVDs, etc.
This time, I got a little something for the living room. 🙂
For the kids and young at heart, there’s the carnival midway, with rides, games of chance and junk food galore!
Speaking of food, there’s an entire building dedicated to it, along with several bars and restaurants on the grounds.
Here you’ll find a variety of items, including some bizarre concoctions:
The Ridiculous Food and Drinks at the 2022 CNE
The Enercare Centre houses the international shopping pavilion, a garden show, and the Super Dogs.
It also has exhibit space for agricultural or industrial displays, and a live stage.
On the grounds are two sports complexes:
BMO Field, home to Toronto FC (Major League Soccer) and the Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League).
The Coco-Cola Colosseum (formerly Ricoh), where the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey) have their farm team, The Toronto Marlies.
There was a nightly drone show this year:
And. on the closing (Labour Day) weekend, the famous Air Show!
A walking tour of the CNE:
Indulging my CN Tower fetish:
Until next year!
Do you have any fairs or exhibitions in your area?
As I was composing this post, the news broke that Queen Elizabeth II had died. Although not a fan of the monarchy, I respected and admired her. She had such grace and a steely resolve. Of all the Commonwealth countries, she visited Canada most often – a total of 22 times.
R.I.P. Your Majesty. 😢🌹
Author D.G. Kaye has written an excellent tribute from a Canadian perspective. God Bless our Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/QnnJxCisl0 via @pokercubster
— D.G.Kaye (@pokercubster) September 8, 2022
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
11 thoughts on “LET’S GO TO THE EX!”
I would so climb into a basket on that Ferris Wheel, and ride for all I am worth. But, not after eating some of everything I could get my mitts on. No motion after munchin’…
A blog title like this one, Debbie can be surely misleading. Lol! 😉
But jokes apart, this looks like one heck of an exhibit; overflowing with copious amounts of fun, food and experiences.
I can imagine how much you would have missed this gala affair. And to have different bands perform is like the cherry on the cake. Steppenwolf – woahhhhh!! 🙂
Have a good rest of the week.
Haha! I hadn’t thought of that, Natasha, as it is the CNE’s advertising slogan. ? It has always been a yearly tradition to visit, and we keenly felt the loss when it was closed for two years. We didn’t get to any concerts this time, but Steppenwolf was certainly a highlight (in 2017). One of my all-time favourite bands. ? Thanks for visiting The Ex with me! ?
Wow! That is my kinda’ place! Holy smokes! We have a state fair but it’s nooooottthing at all like this! I’d be like a kid in a candy store. Where do you even begin?? How long does it last?
It’s a lot of fun, Karen and lasts for 18 days, from the third Friday in August through Labour Day. We really missed going the past two years! I completely forgot to mention the nightly drone shows and the Air Show on the last weekend. Added some video for both to the post.
Fantastic display of our CNE Deb. I missed it this year 🙁 I do enjoy going on a day when there’s a good concert going on and doing a little shopping through the buildings before. 🙂 x
Thanks! We were happy to continue our yearly tradition, after a two-year shutdown.
Sounds fun. I hope to visit one day.
It’s a popular attraction in Toronto. We really missed it the past two years! Thanks for coming by, Thomas. 🙂
How fun. I’d love to attend and oh the food. I really love food.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Debbie. ♥
There’s an endless supply of food at the CNE. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Sandee. Have a good weekend!