The Canadian National Exhibition kicks off today with loads of new eats and entertainment for its 138th year of the fair.
Following a record-breaking attendance in 2015 – which exceeded 1.6 million visitors -- this year’s edition promises to raise the bar.
“In these turbulent times, we’re ever mindful of our past successes, while imagining what the future holds,” President of the CNE association Brian Ashton said at the opening ceremony this morning. “Since becoming independent, I’m proud of the CNE association in its tireless efforts to reimagine our future and recapture our reputation as a beacon of progress.”
One of the most buzzed about new attractions is a Star Trek art exhibit. The display, which is travelling across North America to celebrate the series’ 50th anniversary, will be at the CNE for the full 18 days and is the only Canadian stop on its schedule.
As always, food will be one of the hallmarks of the CNE. The event’s ever-changing snack options are once again pushing boundaries with options like pulled pork cinnamon buns and a Philly cheesesteak stuffed in an éclair.
The “bug dog” – a hot dog sprinkled with fried crickets and mealworms – has already stirred a buzz of its own.
“I'm bringing my kids. I've got three little children all five years and under and I'm indoctrinating them into the Ex. I’m trying to introduce them to those great memories that have stuck with all of us forever about what the end of summer means, and what August in the city of Toronto when you can go down to one of the best places in the city and have a fantastic time,” Coun. Denzil Minnan Wong said Friday as the gates opened.
As for entertainment, visitors can take to the waterfront to watch the CNE’s first ever stunt show on Lake Ontario and music lovers can stop in on Saturday to see the final concert by the Tragically Hip live streamed from the Bandshell Stage.
“It’s an awesome fun event that happens every year that I look forward to and that I now bring my child to,” one visitor told CTV Toronto.
But for some visitors, the start of the CNE is just a sign that summer is almost over.
“It just means it’s the end of summer basically,” another visitor said. “The end of summer but a fun end of summer, though.”
The CNE starts today and will run until Sept. 5.
