Canadian National Exhibition
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Canadian National Exhibition | |
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Nickname | The Ex |
Genre | Provincial fair Agricultural and Entertainment |
Dates | 18 days (from third Friday of August to Labour Day) |
Frequency | Annually |
Venue | Exhibition Place |
Location(s) | Toronto, Ontario |
Country | Canada |
Founded | 1879 |
Most recent | August 2023 |
Next event | August 2024 |
Attendance | 1.604 million (2023)[1] |
Patron(s) | King Charles III |
Website | theex.com |
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Exhibition or The Ex, is an annual fair that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on the third Friday of August leading up to and including Labour Day, the first Monday in September. With approximately 1.6 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada's largest annual community event and one of the top fairs in North America.[2] The fair is a combination of agricultural exhibits and events, carnival rides and entertainment, live music, food and special events. Special events include the Warriors' Day Parade, the Labour Day Parade and the Canadian International Air Show.
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. The event has since expanded to include a carnival, live music and various entertainments as well as art displays and speciality vendors and foods. For many people in the Greater Toronto Area, attending the CNE is an annual family tradition.[3]
Site
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Canadian_National_Exhibition_2012.jpg/250px-Canadian_National_Exhibition_2012.jpg)
The CNE is held at Exhibition Place, which is a 192 acres (78 ha) site located along Toronto's waterfront on the shores of Lake Ontario just west of downtown Toronto. The site features several permanent buildings and structures, many of which have been named as significant under the Ontario Heritage Act. There are several outdoor live music venues on-site including the CNE Bandshell. All of the roads are named after the Canadian provinces and territories. The site includes a football and soccer stadium, basketball practice facility, green space, fountains, plazas, a rose garden, statues and parking lots.
Historically, it is the site of Fort Rouillé, an 18th-century French fort, marked by a monument. As part of the settlement of Toronto by the British, the site became a military reserve for use by the Toronto Garrison of Fort York and cleared of forest in the early 19th century. The Exhibition received permission to use part of the reserve in the 1870s and expanded to use the whole reserve by the 1920s. In the 1950s, the site was expanded south of Lake Shore Boulevard by landfill, and reduced in size on its northern boundary by the construction of the Gardiner Expressway. During the fair, the portion of the site west of Dufferin Street is no longer used.
Points of interest
[edit]Shows and attractions
[edit]The 18-day event consists of a mix of live entertainment, agricultural displays, exhibits, a large carnival midway with many rides, games and food, casino, sports events and shopping areas. The Canadian International Air Show on Labour Day weekend has been a major feature of the fair since 1949, held over Lake Ontario just south of the CNE grounds. There are two major parades at the CNE, the Warriors' Day Parade of veterans on the first Saturday of the fair and the Labour Day Parade of workers on Labour Day. The Warriors' Day Parade honours Canada's military veterans and includes military vehicles. Canadian Armed Forces has a display each year at the fair.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Scadding_Cabin_-_CNE_Grounds%2C_Toronto_%28September_1_2005%29.jpg/220px-Scadding_Cabin_-_CNE_Grounds%2C_Toronto_%28September_1_2005%29.jpg)
Several buildings house exhibits and displays from vendors, government agencies and various industry associations. These include the International Pavilion of products from around the world, and the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building which features unique items and collectibles. The Enercare Centre complex holds the International Pavilion, a garden show, and the SuperDogs performances. It also has exhibit space used for agricultural or industrial displays and a live stage. The Food Building houses a large number of vendors offering food from many cultures, reflecting Toronto's multicultural population. The Better Living Centre building is used for the CNE Casino on one side, and an agricultural display on the other. The CNE continues its tradition of agricultural produce competitions and the winners are displayed in the Better Living Centre.[citation needed]
The 1794 "Scadding Cabin" log cabin dates back to the first year of the fair, when it was moved here from its original location. The cabin was the residence of an early Upper Canada colonist John Scadding. The cabin is only open to the public during the CNE.[4]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Canadian_National_Exhibition_at_night%2C_2008.jpg/220px-Canadian_National_Exhibition_at_night%2C_2008.jpg)
The fair has two midways of rides and carnival games. The Kiddie Midway is located in the northwest corner of Exhibition Place, with smaller rides suitable for children under 12. The midway for older youths and adults is situated west of the Enercare Centre and south of BMO Field. It has several dozen rides, including thrill rides, roller coasters, swing rides and a log plume ride. Along several pathways of the midway area are carnival games of "skill", games of chance and many carnival food vendors. The CNE operates a "sky ride", with chairs similar to ski-lift chairs, to carry riders from just west of the Princes' Gates to south of BMO Field.[citation needed]
The Coca-Cola Coliseum is used for live shows. Including high-wire acts, skating, and the RCMP Musical Ride in the past, most recently was an aerial and acrobatic show featuring Olympic skater Elvis Stojko. Outdoors, the Bandshell is used for daily music and nightly headliners. Additionally, areas are set up at various points around the ground for outdoor entertainment. These include such things as beer gardens, musical acts, acrobatic acts, buskers, parkour displays, circus acts, children's shows and educational displays.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Bmo_Field_2016_East_Stand.jpg/220px-Bmo_Field_2016_East_Stand.jpg)
The CNE grounds is also home to BMO Field, a large multi-purpose facility located in the center of the grounds. The stadium is used by two professional sports teams based in Toronto, the Toronto Argonauts Canadian football team and the Toronto FC soccer (association football) team. Each team plays at least one home game during the fair.
The CNE holds several sports tournaments during the fair. At Coronation Park, located across Lake Shore Boulevard, to the east of the Princes' Gates, the CNE holds two baseball tournaments. It holds a youth peewee baseball tournament[5] and a girl's fastball tournament.[6] The tournaments used to be played at a baseball diamond in the far west corner of Exhibition Place, but that diamond was replaced by the OVO Athletic Centre. At the Centre, the CNE holds a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.[7]
Each night of the fair, live music is presented at the CNE Bandshell. It is an outdoor venue in the west end of the park, with a stage reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl and bench seats in a park-like setting that gently slopes down to the Bandshell. Built in the 1930s, the stage has had a huge number of performances from famous entertainers from many different genres over the years. In the past, the various Exhibition Stadiums hosted large outdoor concerts. The current BMO Field is not used for outdoor live concerts, preserving the field's surface for sports. Today, the Budweiser Stage south of Lake Shore Boulevard in Ontario Place hosts large live concerts during the Ex and all summer long. During the fair, several stages are set up at different places, with live music in a beer garden setting.
Food
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Guess_What_Is_In_There_%28Food_Building_Toronto_2010%29.jpg/220px-Guess_What_Is_In_There_%28Food_Building_Toronto_2010%29.jpg)
Many options are available across the site during the fair. The CNE Food Building offers a wide variety of food options including desserts, international cuisine, and fast food, as well as novelty items, including Frosted Flake, Battered Chicken on a Stick, Deep Fried Red Velvet Oreos and Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese. Halal, vegetarian and healthy food options are also widely available.[8]The Food Building, which opened September 1, 1954, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2024.
Since the 2012 season, the CNE has hosted a food truck rally called "Food Truck Frenzy." This event took place on Princes' Boulevard just inside the Princes' Gates at the east end of the grounds. The 2016 edition featured 26 food trucks serving specialty foods. A "Craft Beer Fest" was added to the event in 2015 and continued in 2016, serving locally crafted beers.[citation needed]
During the fair, several licensed restaurants operate on the grounds, including Bandshell Bar (West End of the CNE grounds); The Beach Bar (South of the Horse Palace); Bronco's (Country Bar - Outside West of the Food Building) Casino Patio (East side of the Better Living Centre); Carousel Bar (Southwest end of the Food Building); Craft Beer Festival Bar (North side of Princes' Blvd); Craft Taps (North side of BMO Field); Dino's (Princes' Blvd South of the Enercare Centre's Hall A); Festival Bar (On Princes' Blvd); Wine Garden (Heritage Court, Enercare Centre).[citation needed]
Shopping
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Tan_and_blone%2C_plus_pat_%28international_pavillion%29_%282775058483%29.jpg/220px-Tan_and_blone%2C_plus_pat_%28international_pavillion%29_%282775058483%29.jpg)
Several shopping opportunities are available for visitors at the CNE:
- Arts, Crafts and Hobbies
Enercare Centre:
- Gaming Garage
- Home and Garden Pavilion
- International Pavilion
- Shoppers' Market
- Warehouse Outlets
Outdoors:
- Booths line several streets of the fair ground.
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Industrial_fair_1884.jpg/170px-Industrial_fair_1884.jpg)
In September 1846, a fair sponsored by the Provincial Agricultural Fair of Canada West, sponsored by the Provincial Agricultural Association and the Board of Agriculture for Canada West, was held in Toronto in the area near present-day King and Simcoe Streets. While primarily an agricultural event, it also displayed manufactured goods and decorative arts and crafts. The fair was a success, and it was proposed that future fairs be held in different locations each year. In 1847, the fair was held in Hamilton and thereafter travelled to such cities as Cobourg, Kingston, Niagara, and Brockville.[9]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/First_electric_railway_in_Canada%2C_1884%2C_Dufferin_St%2C_Toronto.jpg/220px-First_electric_railway_in_Canada%2C_1884%2C_Dufferin_St%2C_Toronto.jpg)
In 1852, the fair returned to the west side of University Avenue (see Grange Park (neighbourhood)), stretching from a bit north of Dundas Street to a bit south of College Street. It lasted four days. The Horse Park, on the west side of the grounds, was loaned to the fair by Mrs. Boulton, who lived in the Grange, and it was bounded on the north by the Caer Howell Pleasure Grounds (in a way a forerunner of the midway). The Fair was a success, attracting more than 30,000 visitors.[citation needed]
In 1853, the fair moved on to another city and didn't return to Toronto until 1858 and then again in 1878. After the 1878 fair, Toronto City Council and the local Exhibition Committee approached the Provincial Agriculture Association with a proposition: that the fair remain permanently in Toronto. The Association thanked City Council and the Exhibition Committee for their work in delivering a successful fair in 1878 but informed them that a decision had already been made to move the fair to another city in 1879.[9]
Toronto City Council, along with local businessmen, moved ahead with plans to establish a permanent fair in Toronto. The new fair, known as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, opened on September 3, 1879, and lasted for three weeks (Sundays excepted). The 50 acres (20 ha) site hosted an attendance of more than 100,000 paid admissions and 8,234 exhibits.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/CNEFlyerExStadium1985.jpg/220px-CNEFlyerExStadium1985.jpg)
In 1912, the Toronto Industrial Exhibition changed its name to the Canadian National Exhibition to better reflect the scope and reach of the fair. During its history, the CNE has featured exhibits on the latest technological advances in industry and agriculture. CNE patrons were introduced to electric railway transportation in 1884, to Edison's phonograph in 1888, to the wireless telephone in the 1889, to radio in 1903, to television in 1939, to plastics and synthetics in the 1940s. The Government of Canada is not affiliated with the fair; however, it has often exhibited at the CNE.[citation needed]
In 1937, Conklin Shows was awarded the contract to provide amusement rides and games for the CNE midway. The company built the "Flyer" wooden roller-coaster on site as well as delivering rides and games each year during the CNE duration. The company continued to provide this service until 2004, at which point it merged with other leading midway operators to form North American Midway Entertainment, which continues to supply the CNE.[citation needed]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Miss_War_Worker_Beauty_Contest_1942_contestants_grouped_by_employer.jpg/220px-Miss_War_Worker_Beauty_Contest_1942_contestants_grouped_by_employer.jpg)
During the Second World War, as during the First World War, the CNE grounds became home to detachments of the Canadian military. In 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force moved into the Coliseum. The Canadian Army took over the Horse Palace and the Royal Canadian Navy converted the Automotive Building into HMCS York. During the summers of 1940 and 1941, most of the troops stationed at the CNE were re-located. Those troops remaining either continued their regular administrative duties or participated in CNE displays and events aimed at promoting the Canadian war effort. CNE officials had hoped to continue the annual fair throughout the years of the war. In the spring of 1942, however, the CNE agreed to turn the grounds over to the Canadian military for use year-round. During the military occupation of the grounds, virtually every CNE building, large or small, was used by the Canadian armed forces. The CNE grounds remained closed and under the control of the Canadian military until 1946. Between 1945 and 1946, Exhibition Park acted as a demobilization centre for returning soldiers.[citation needed]
The CNE resumed in 1947. Patrons returned to the CNE to see the latest in consumer goods and agricultural advancements. The fair also remained a major hub for sporting events and entertainment. Over time, the CNE moved away from its country-fair heritage toward an increasingly modern, cosmopolitan look and feel. In recent years, the CNE has changed extensively to meet the needs of the growing and changing demographics of Toronto and Southern Ontario.[citation needed]
The first year that the CNE was allowed to open on Sundays was 1968.[10]
Since the 1990s, the fair has used fewer buildings on the site as Toronto has encouraged year-round use of Exhibition Place, partly to reduce annual costs. Three of the westernmost former exhibit buildings are leased out for year-round attractions and are not part of the fair. The exhibit space was replaced by the new Enercare Centre. The former baseball diamond at the very west of the site was converted to a Toronto Raptors practice facility. Baseball was moved outside of the site. The Dufferin Gate is no longer used as a point of entry to the fair.
21st century
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/F-35_performs_a_high-speed_pass_during_the_Canadian_International_Air_Show_2018.jpg/220px-F-35_performs_a_high-speed_pass_during_the_Canadian_International_Air_Show_2018.jpg)
In 2003, the CNE celebrated its 125th anniversary, despite the first four days of the exhibition being hampered by the Northeast blackout of 2003. In 2005, the CNE introduced a Mardi Gras parade. In 2010, the CNE became the first fair in North America and the first large-scale event on the continent to achieve EcoLogo Certification.[citation needed]
In 2012, Canadian Olympic gold-medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir performed in La Vie: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show during the first 15 days of the fair, and three-time World Champion and Olympic silver-medalist Elvis Stojko closed out the show on Labour Day weekend. In 2015, Virtue and Moir returned for another ice skating and aerial acrobatics show, Bon Voyage![citation needed]
In both 2013 and 2014, the CNE featured a zip line ride. The CNE zip line was the highest and longest temporary zip line in the world.[citation needed] The launch tower, positioned southeast of the Food Building, measured 180 ft (55 m) high. The landing tower, southwest of the current Enercare Centre, was 60 ft (18 m). The zip line ride consisted of four lines, each measuring nearly 1,100 ft (340 m).[11] Zip line riders travelled at approximately 65 km/hour.[citation needed]
In 2016, the CNE saw the return of programming at the CNE waterfront with a daily water ski show, and national and international competitions—made possible as a result of infrastructure investment on the West Channel for the 2015 Pan American Games.[citation needed] The same year also saw the introduction of the inaugural CNE Innovation Garage, featuring a pitch competition and displays—a throwback to the CNE's history of showing new technological advances.
In 2020, the CNE and all associated in-person events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time the CNE has been cancelled since World War II.[12] The CNE reported that this caused a loss of over $35 million in potential revenue, and $128 million in economic impact to Ontario.[13] In 2021, due to the continued pandemic, the City of Toronto government cancelled all city-led and permitted outdoor in-person events through at least September 6, 2021, therefore cancelling the CNE and all associated in-person events for the second year in a row. As revenue from previous editions are reinvested into subsequent editions, the CNE stated that "the cancellations and financial losses of 2020 and 2021 will have a consequential impact on the future of the CNE."[14]
The CNE resumed operations in 2022. The re-opening on August 19, 2022, was made possible due to funding received from both the Government of Canada ($7.1 million) and the Province of Ontario ($1.6 million). The financial assistance facilitated the introduction of new innovative programming featuring immersive heritage exhibits, enhancements to the Gaming Garage powered by AMD, a reoccurring nightly drone show and a multimedia show called "NEVAEH & the Northstar", both presented by VinFast.[15]
The 2023 CNE surpassed the 2015 attendance with 1,604,000 visitors passing through its gates. Attractions included the Fountain Show and the Canadian International Air Show on the waterfront. The Coliseum held an Ice Skating and Acrobatics Show "Time Flies" with Elvis Stojko. The Better Living Centre hosted a Pink Floyd exhibition. The bandshell's entertainment included Dionne Warwick, Jann Arden, Amanda Marshall, Kim Mitchell, Tynomi Banks and Kardinal Offishal.[16]
In 2023, the Canadian National Exhibition marked the 130th anniversary of the Ferris Wheel by welcoming the Super Wheel, the first of its kind to appear in Toronto.[17] Fairgoers had views of the lake and the city, inside 36-climate controlled gondolas that held four to six guests per gondola.[18][19]
Economic impact
[edit]A 2017 Economic Impact Assessment, conducted by Enigma Research Corporation, reports that the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) generates an estimated CA$93.1 million for Greater Toronto Area and more than $128.3 million for the province of Ontario each year.[20]
A 2009 study by the same corporation showed that the 2009 CNE attracted more than 275,000 out-of-town visitors to the city, and that fair-related hiring created an equivalent of 633 full-year jobs in the region. Spending also supported CA$12.9 million of tax revenue to three levels of government. This national research initiative, commissioned by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE), was conducted at 20 fairs of varying sizes throughout Canada in 2008. A total of 1,200 people were interviewed during the 2008 Canadian National Exhibition alone.
Other highlights of the research, included a sample size of 1,200 people in on-site, face-to-face interviews, include:
- Local residents spend US$52 million related to the CNE
- The average non-local spent 2.5 nights in Toronto.
The CNE achieved a historical milestone in 2022, by returning after a two-year closure and attracted 1.56 million visitors to its grounds; generating significant economic impact nearly CA$112 million for the Greater Toronto Area and CA$142 million for the province of Ontario each year.[21]
The CNE hires approximately 1,200 people starting in the spring of each year to assist in the planning and production of the annual fair. An additional 3,500 people are hired during the fair itself by CNE partners including Emergency Services, Toronto Police, Toronto Fire, food vendors, exhibitors and concessionaires. For many young people growing up in Toronto, the CNE is their first employment experience.[20]
The CNEA partners with many corporate sponsors and provides a space for over 700 exhibitors. Both Canadian and international businesses contribute to the CNE.[20] The CNEA works with several organizations to promote tourism to the Greater Toronto Area and the province of Ontario, including: Festivals and Events Ontario, Tourism Toronto and Attractions Ontario.
Environmental initiatives
[edit]In 2010, the Canadian National Exhibition became the first fair in North America and the first large-scale event on the continent to receive EcoLogo certification, one of North America's largest and most respected environmental standard and certification marks. EcoLogo certification is based on stringent criteria that examine the entire life-cycle of a product and the CNE's success in achieving this honour formally recognizes the fair as an environmental leader. (Canadian National Exhibition is EcoLogo - Certified to Events CCD-095.)
In addition to fulfilling EcoLogo certification requirements, the CNE's environmental strategy consists of three components:
Energy conservation:
- Decorative lighting on the Midway is turned off during daylight hours
- Solar panels are utilized throughout the grounds in locations such as the Horse Palace roof, on staff golf carts, on the Midway games, and on garbage compactors
- In 2008 the CNE introduced solar-powered concession games on the Midway
- All of the CNE's decorative tree lighting has been replaced with LED lights to reduce electricity consumption
Emissions reduction:
- The CNE encourages visitors to take public transit, ride their bicycles, and/or walk to get to the site
- Bicycle racks and bike parking areas are strategically placed around the grounds to accommodate cyclists
- The vast majority of golf carts used by CNE staff are powered using electricity (vs. gas-powered)
- On the CNE grounds there are bio-diesel generators that power rides at the fair
Waste diversion:
- A wide range of materials are recycled and diverted from landfills each season including, but not limited to, cardboard, paper, organic waste, paper hand towels, wood, metals, street sweepings, concrete/asphalt, hay, and cooking oil
- The CNE provides water refill stations where guests may refill reusable water bottles to reduce the number of disposable plastic bottles that are used
- During the fair a vast number of recycling, compost, and garbage receptacles are placed around the grounds
- The use of polystyrene foam is no longer allowed on the CNE grounds, thus reducing the amount of waste that cannot be recycled
- In the Food Building, tableware is predominantly compostable, which increases the amount of waste that the CNE is able to send to composting facilities, rather than to a landfill
- Waste diversion rates:
- 2009 - 77.30%
- 2010 - 83.76%
- 2011 - 81.93%
- 2012 - 82.82%
- 2013 - 86.36%
Governance and organizational structure
[edit]The CNE is operated by the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) and its volunteer Board of Directors. The CNEA is governed under the jurisdiction of two Acts of the Province of Ontario: the Canadian National Exhibition Association Act, 2000, and the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act, R.S.O. 1990, chapter A.9. Exhibition Place is owned by City of Toronto and is governed by the Board of Governors (BOG) of Exhibition Place.
Through various agreements with the City of Toronto, the CNEA operated as a program of the BOG until March 31, 2013. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlined the various administrative, financial and operational services to be provided to the CNEA by Exhibition Place. The MOU also provided for the use of the buildings and grounds for the annual CNE. During the decade leading up to independence, the CNEA contributed more than CA$20 million in site fees to the annual operating budget of the BOG, in addition to CA$7.3 million in operating surpluses. These contributions were included in consolidated annual financial results from the CNEA and BOG for the benefit of the City of Toronto.[22]
The Board announced in 2012 that the CNEA would become an independent agency. Chair of the Board, City Councillor Mark Grimes stated: "The independence of the CNEA is good for both the CNEA and Exhibition Place. The agreement will protect the Board of Governors and the City against any negative financial consequences and at the same time allow the CNEA to reach financial and organizational stability for the newly independent organization."[23] "It will be beneficial for the CNEA to be independent from the City of Toronto to be able to determine and implement consumer strategies and fiscal decisions that are made in the interest of the CNEA and its visitors, as experts within the fair business."[23] As an independent organization, the CNEA will be able to retain its profits and re-invest in the fair.[24] "'This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Canadian National Exhibition,' stated Brian Ashton, President of the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA). 'We believe that as an independent business we can flourish and present an annual fair that will make Toronto and Canada proud!'" [25] "Toronto City Council will be asked for approval of this new agreement at their March 5–6, 2012 meeting."[25]
The new agreement was approved by Toronto City Council and the CNEA officially became independent on April 1, 2013. The CNEA is a non-share capital corporation and a tenant of Exhibition Place, to which it pays rent for the use of the grounds and buildings for the annual fair, as well as fees for operational services.[26] The CNEA is not involved with year-round operations, events or development at Exhibition Place.
The CNEA has over 125 member individuals and associations representing each of the following sectors: Municipal, Manufacturers and Industry, Agriculture, and General and Liberal Arts. Member associations appoint a representative to the CNEA and approximately 15 members are appointed directly by the CNEA from the community-at-large. Each year a Board of Directors is elected from this membership, giving equal representation to each section. Six representatives of the Municipal section are appointed by Toronto City Council.
In March 2022, the Canadian National Association (CNEA) announced that Darrell Brown was appointed as Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the CNEA. President Suzan Hall explained "Darrell Brown has been central to the stabilization of our organization, having secured substantial funding from both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario that has enabled the CNEA to survive". Darrell Brown has worked as a consultant, legal advisor, and entrepreneur over the five decades of his career. He has practiced law and consulting on employee benefits issues in Canada, lead international development projects and created acclaimed art exhibitions.[27]
Current Board of Directors
[edit]May 2023 to Spring 2024 Term[28]
Executive Committee:
President | Suzan Hall |
Honorary President | John Kiru |
1st Vice President | Randy Bauslaugh |
Vice President | Darryl Kaplan |
Vice President Section 1 | Councillor Stephen Holyday |
Vice President Section 2 | Helen Wojcinski |
Past Presidents | Honorary President |
---|---|
Brian Ashton | John Kiru |
Jim Melvin | |
Section 1 - Municipal | Section 2 - Manufacturers & Industry |
Mayor Olivia Chow | Suzan Hall |
Councillor Paul Ainslie | Celeste Kirk |
Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday | Andrew Mifsud |
Councillor Ausma Malik | Ted Papadatos |
Councillor Nick Mantas | Lyle Shipley |
Councillor Chris Moise | Helen Wojcinski |
Section 3 - Agriculture | Section 4 - General & Liberal Arts |
Susan Antler | Randy Bauslaugh |
Parry Chao | Mark Stephens |
Darryl Kaplan | Michael Wallace |
Domenic Lunardo | Jennifer Ward |
Lyle Shipley | Janice Warren |
Attendance
[edit]Attendance has been recorded since 1911.[29] According to the CNE, figures before 1981 were intentionally inflated.[30]
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See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Record-Breaking Attendance for the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition" (PDF) (Press release). CNEA. September 21, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "CarnivalWarehouse.com's 2022 Top 50 Fairs" (PDF). Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Lorimer, James (January 1, 1973). The Ex: A Picture History of the Canadian National Exhibition. James Lorimer Ltd. ISBN 978-0-88862-054-5.
- ^ Avigdor 1994.
- ^ "Peewee Baseball Tournament". CNEA. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "2024 U15 Girls Fastball Tournament". CNEA. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "CNE-OBA: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament". CNEA. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "The Food Building – 65 Years Yum!". Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ a b CNE Archives. 2013.
- ^ Donald Newman (August 19, 1968). "CNE makes history with Sunday crowd". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 1.
- ^ McGinnis, Rick (August 17, 2013). "The CNE gets a 1000+ foot zip line for 2013". blogto.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian National Exhibition Makes Historic Decision to Cancel the 2020 Fair" (PDF) (Press release). CNEA. May 12, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ "All major summer events, including CNE, Caribbean Carnival, cancelled again this year, city says". CP24. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "Difficult Decisions Ahead for the Canadian National Exhibition as the City of Toronto Extends Cancellation of In-Person Major Events through to Labour Day" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2021.
- ^ "A Historic Year for the Canadian National Exhibition, and Preliminary Attendance Figures Indicate Likewise" (PDF). theex.com. September 2, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Record-Breaking Attendance for the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition" (PDF). theex.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Citing Additions: Superwheel's debut will have heads spinning at CNE". August 9, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "From Thrill Rides to Kiddie Rides, Our Carnival Rides Can't Be Forgotten". Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Ferris Wheel, ca. 1900". theex.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c Canadian National Exhibition. "Economic Impact". THEEX.COM. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ "Record-Breaking Attendance for the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition" (PDF). theex.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "The Fair". Theex.com. September 4, 2017. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "Exhibition Place website. 2012". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "The Fair". theex.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Exhibition Place. (2012). Independence of the Canadian National Exhibition Association". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "Slide 1" (PDF). Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ "Darrell Brown Named Chief Executive Officer of the CNE Association" (PDF). theex.com. March 24, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "One Rainy Day Kills Bid for Three Million". Toronto Daily Star. September 12, 1960. p. 19. ProQuest 1428371238.
- ^ Slotnick, Lorry (September 9, 1983). "Old Figures Were 'Puffed Up': CNE Reports Attendance Rise". The Globe and Mail. p. 5. ProQuest 1238656294.
- ^ a b "Official Attendance at C.N.E. Totals 1,839,000". The Globe and Mail. September 8, 1941. p. 3. ProQuest 1356053335.
- ^ "CNE Profits in '47 $205,348 to City". The Globe and Mail. February 26, 1948. p. 4. ProQuest 1291575657.
- ^ "CNE Attendance". Toronto Daily Star. September 16, 1952. p. 6. ProQuest 1419024922.
- ^ "Weather Vagaries Cut CNE Attendance Total". The Globe and Mail. September 14, 1953. p. 5. ProQuest 1287218887.
- ^ "116,000 Attend Opening of CNE". The Globe and Mail. August 24, 1957. p. 1. ProQuest 1288695837.
- ^ "Attendance Lower, But CNE Called Best". The Globe and Mail. September 12, 1955. p. 1. ProQuest 1316427117.
- ^ a b c "Record CNE Attendance But Short of 3 Million". Toronto Daily Star. September 8, 1958. p. 1. ProQuest 1434647628.
- ^ "Up for Day, Total CNE Attendance Drops". The Globe and Mail. September 14, 1959. p. 19. ProQuest 1288496689.
- ^ a b "3,000,000 Still Elusive Ponder 17-Day 'Ex' in '62". Toronto Daily Star. September 16, 1952. p. 17. ProQuest 1428846194.
- ^ "CNE Hopes to Smash '63 Attendance Record". Toronto Daily Star. September 8, 1958. p. 66. ProQuest 1435649554.
- ^ a b "Turnstiles Click Merrily at CNE Saturday's 249,000 Big Increase". Toronto Daily Star. August 23, 1965. p. 1. ProQuest 1425706158.
- ^ a b "CNE May Open Sundays to Compete with Expo". The Globe and Mail. September 6, 1966. p. 1. ProQuest 1270603689.
- ^ "tatoo Takes Ex Over 3,000,000". Toronto Daily Star. September 5, 1967. p. 1. ProQuest 1417468684.
- ^ a b "Attendance Is Down But CNE Has Profit First Time in 3 Years". Toronto Daily Star. September 2, 1969. p. 35. ProQuest 1419937571.
- ^ a b "CNE Attendance Goes Over 3,000,000". Toronto Daily Star. September 7, 1971. p. 34. ProQuest 1411358960.
- ^ Hampton, Edna (September 5, 1972). "CNE Officials Jubilant as 3,561,000 Visitors Set New Record". The Globe and Mail. p. 1. ProQuest 1240534059.
- ^ a b "4 Million CNE visitors If Not for TTC Strike, Official Says". The Globe and Mail. September 3, 1974. p. 15. ProQuest 1239766661.
- ^ a b "CNE Attracts Record Turnout". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1976. p. 1. ProQuest 1240534059.
- ^ a b c "CNE Attendance Drops 277,500 from Last Year". The Globe and Mail. September 2, 1980. p. 2. ProQuest 1125107701.
- ^ a b "CNE Makes Profit of $50,000 in 1982". The Globe and Mail. October 14, 1982. p. 15. ProQuest 1238746359.
- ^ a b "CNE Tickets to Rise 50 Cents Despite 1984 Attendance Fall". The Globe and Mail. November 22, 1984. p. M3. ProQuest 1237585768.
- ^ "CNE Attendance Higher This Year Despite Rainfall". The Globe and Mail. September 14, 1985. p. 17. ProQuest 1435612570.
- ^ Byers, Jim (October 1, 1986). "Rain Blamed for 6.3% Drop in CNE Attendance". Toronto Star. p. A16. ProQuest 435484405.
- ^ Nyman, Judy; Byers, Jim (November 11, 1987). "CNE Patrons Shrugging Off $1 Increase". Toronto Star. p. A6. ProQuest 435682645.
- ^ Byers, Jim (October 21, 1988). "Ex Barely Tops 2 Million Attendance Mark". Toronto Star. p. A6. ProQuest 435787727.
- ^ "Attendance at CNE Up by 31,000". Toronto Star. October 19, 1989. p. A6. ProQuest 436049730.
- ^ a b c Deverell, John (October 16, 1992). "Attendance Down 6.6% at CNE This Year". Toronto Star. p. D11. ProQuest 436729698.
- ^ Royson, James (December 21, 1993). "Baby Boomers Love to Hate CNE, Report Says". Toronto Star. p. A6. ProQuest 436951548.
- ^ a b Small, Peter (December 13, 1995). "CNE Attendance Down 7 Per Cent". Toronto Star. p. A24. ProQuest 437366649.
- ^ "CNE Reports Rise in Attendance for First Time in Last Three Years". Toronto Star. October 18, 1996. p. A6. ProQuest 437558664.
- ^ Van Alphen, Tony (April 27, 1999). "Free-Ticket Fiasco Creates CNE Loss". Toronto Star. p. 1. ProQuest 437906200.
- ^ Moloney, Paul (October 16, 1998). "Crowds Larger, but CNE Back in the Red". Toronto Star. p. 1. ProQuest 437822969.
- ^ Abbate, Gay (August 14, 2000). "CNE Struggling to Stay Current". The Globe and Mail. p. A16. ProQuest 384235522.
- ^ a b c d e f Daubs, Katie (September 4, 2010). "Keeping the Grand Old Lady Young: CNE's Future May Lie in More Participatory Events to Interest Kids, Manager Says". Toronto Star. p. GT1. ProQuest 437822969.
- ^ a b c Shaw, Rob (September 7, 2004). "CNE Officials See Blue Skies Through the Smog". The Globe and Mail. p. A10. ProQuest 383826534.
- ^ "On the Heels of a Very Successful Fair, the CNEA Names New President to Lead the CNE in Exciting New Direction!" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 20, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2012.
- ^ "2012 CNE a Great Success!" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2013.
- ^ "2014 CNE the Most Highly Attended of the Past Decade" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 23, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2014.
- ^ "Attendance at the 2015 CNE, the Highest Since 1998" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2017.
- ^ "2016 Canadian National Exhibition Attracted Over 1.5 Million Visitors Marking Another Banner Year for Canada's Largest Fair" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 27, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2017.
- ^ "Sunny Attendance Results for the 2017 Canadian National Exhibition Despite a Summer of Unpredictable Weather" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. October 26, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2018.
- ^ a b Draaisma, Muriel. "Ex Attendance Rises to An Estimated 1.5 Million This Year, CNE Officials Say". CBC News. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "CNE Organizers Anticipate Labour Day Weekend Attendance Will Soar Sky High" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Record-Breaking Attendance for the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition" (PDF) (Press release). Canadian National Exhibition Association. September 21, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
References
[edit]- Avigdor, Jeanine (1994). The Scadding Cabin, 1794: Toronto's Oldest House. The York Pioneer and Historical Society. ISBN 0-9698404-0-3..
- Withrow, John, ed. (1978). Once Upon a Century: 100 Year History of The "Ex. J.H. Robinson Publishing Ltd.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
- Multimedia
- CBC Archives Patty Conklin gives a tour of the CNE with CBC Radio (1958)
- CBC Archives CBC Television story about Patty Conklin in 1971 as he helps set up the CNE.
- Webpages
- Canadian National Exhibition
- CNE Heritage
- Press Building
- Canadian national exhibition, The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Canadian national exhibition, "Toronto history" Archived March 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, York University: archival images of the CNE from the Toronto Telegram fonds