Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to the CNE this afternoon.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With approximately 1.3 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada’s largest annual fair and the seventh 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 also changed over time, reflecting the growth in diversity and innovation, though agriculture and technology remain a large part of the CNE today.

Admission was $19 (plus tax) and there is something for everyone ... rides, midway, games of chance, food, shopping (I bought a kitty teeshirt), music and more!

We checked out the Canadian Armed Forces display.

We chatted with an officer with the last name "Johnson".
He said parachuters jump with 350 pounds, including their own weight.
I lifted the parachutes (50 pounds and the back-up is 30 pounds)
and the packs and they were HEAVY!

We went inside and checked out some of the exhibits.

Sand sculpting

Butter sculpting

We watched Vikram Vij make curried veggies.  He was interesting and entertaining.

Lots of hot tubs for sale ... wishful thinking!

We went back outside.  We usually do the cable car but the line-up for tickets and the ride were long so we passed.

We watched Sons of Rhythm on the Molson Canadian Midway Stage.  They were good.

I had a waffle ice cream.  Yum!

Gord had a root beer and a corn dog.

Neither of us went on any rides ... I'm a scaredy cat!

I found it funny that a church's tent was set up right next to a psychic's tent.

We checked out the Quilt of Belonging exhibit.

We got hungry again so went to the Food Building.

I had a Dirty Bird (without lettuce, onions or cheese) and fries from Bub's Bad@ss Burgers.  I didn't know what to expect.  My sandwich was good but interesting.

We walked around some more afterwards.

Gord and I

Then it was time to say good-bye for another year.