TORONTO – The Canadian National Exhibition, better known as the CNE or “the Ex”, opened Friday for its 134th season of fun at Exhibition Place.
The midway, bandshell, casino, food hall and other old favorites are back, as well as a new zip line and the Sky Ride gondola that travels 12 metres above the grounds.
Bandshell acts include Nick Carter, 3OH!3, Big Sugar, Arkells, Arturo Sandoval, The Spinners, The Tea Party and Don McLean.
The Food Network Celebrity Stage, located in the At Home Pavilion of the Direct Energy Centre, features demonstrations by chefs like Michael Smith, David Rocco and Anna Olson. There are also plenty of food options, ranging from healthy to deep-fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs. From Aug. 24-26, more than a dozen food trucks will be serving food to hungry Ex-goers.
Children will be entertained by Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Train and other familiar characters.
The Aerial Acrobatics and Ice Skating Show features Canadian gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir daily until Aug. 31 and Olympian Elvis Stojko on Labour Day Weekend.
On the CNE’s final weekend jets, vintage planes and acrobatic aircraft will soar over Lake Ontario at the 63rd annual Canadian International Air Show.
- Fall COVID-19 vaccine guidelines are out. Here’s what NACI recommends
- Some 2019 candidates ‘appeared willing’ to engage with foreign interference: Hogue inquiry
- Thousands of Canada’s rail workers have a strike mandate. What happens now?
- Bird flu: Experts urge more surveillance in Canada — before it’s too late
The CNE, which is the largest fair of its kind in Canada and one of the top 10 in North America, attracted 1.3 million visitors last year. It runs until Sept. 3.
Getting into the Ex
Admission on opening day is $8. General admission is $16 (ages 14 to 59); $12 (ages 60 and up and 5 to 13). A family pass is $48. Opening day admission is $8. Admission from Monday to Thursday is only $5 after 5pm. Special offers can be found at theex.com.
Getting to the Ex
The TTC is adding service to and from Exhibition Place during the CNE. The 511 streetcar travels between Bathurst Station and the Exhibition Loop; the 29 bus goes between Dufferin Station and Dufferin Gate; and the 193 Exhibition Rocket travels between Dundas West Station to Dufferin Gate. The 509 streetcars from Union Station have been replaced by buses due to construction. They pick up at the southwest corner of Bay and Front St.
TTC service is free on Saturday for war veterans and a companion traveling to the CNE for Warriors’ Day. Veterans must show their service medals/ribbons to ride free.
Comments