Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) 2022 The Ex

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) 2022 - The Ex With the summer winding down; quickly coming to an end, it is time to reflect on some positive things after much bad news in a world that seems to be rapidly changing for the worse. Finally, after two years on pause due to the pandemic, the Canadian National Exhibition "The Ex" is back to the delight of the people. Between August 19 and September 5, people can again enjoy the feast and relaxation before Fall starts. The fair expects to have more than 1.4 million visitors this year. The Ex has a venerable history and it is one of the most famous fairs in North America. Historically, The Ex started on September 3, 1879, and lasted for three weeks (Sundays excepted) as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition. An attendance in excess of 100,000 paid admissions and 8,234 exhibits, spelled success for the exhibition. The fair continued to grow and prosper and soon came to be known as the "Show Window of the Nation." Starting with just over 50 acres (20 ha) in 1879, the fair, situated on a parcel of land which has become known as Exhibition Place, now stretches from the Gardiner Expressway (north end), to Lake Shore Boulevard and Lake Ontario to the south, and from Strachan Avenue (east end), to the Dominion Gates (west end), covering 196.6 acres (0.796 km2) of land. In 1912, the Toronto Industrial Exhibition changed its name to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) to better reflect the scope and reach of the fair. In fulfilling its mandate, the CNE has featured exhibits on the latest technological advances in industry and agriculture. CNE patrons were introduced to electric railway transportation in 1883, to Edison's phonograph in 1888, to the wireless telephone in the 1890s, to radio in 1922, to television in 1939, to plastics and synthetics in the 1940s. 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 for the duration of the CNE. 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. 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 building 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 put to use 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. The CNE resumed in 1947. Canadians 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. The first year that the CNE was allowed to open on Sundays was 1968. 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 2007, the CNE was announced as a host location for Ribfest. In 2010, the CNE became the first fair in North America and the first large-scale event on the continent to achieve EcoLogo Certification. On May 12, 2020, the CNE and all associated in-person events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic-the first time the CNE had been cancelled since World War II. The CNE reported that this caused a loss of over $35 million in potential revenue, and $128 million in economic impact on Ontario. On May 14, 2021, due to the continued pandemic, the city of Toronto 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." With great relief The Ex has come back in full force for 2022 and will have many new events, that the public will enjoy after two years of isolation. The CNE this year has a very interesting program and the Warriors Day parade is worth mentioning here. It was held for the first time in 1921, extending the work of the Canadian National Exhibition, which had been hosting military parades and demonstrations since 1879. In honouring the service of Canadian men and women in the armed forces the parade is often planned to commemorate specific events. In 2015, the parade commemorated veterans of World War II. In 2017, the parade was designed to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Dieppe Raid. So enjoy The Ex and have a good time!