No one calls it by its full name: The Canadian National Exhibition. It is such a cultural institution in the city, such a looming annual presence, that we don’t need to say the full name. We all simply call the CNE (or the Ex, for those in the know!).

Even if you haven’t been to the CNE in person (what are you waiting for?), chances are that you’ve experienced it in some form or another. You’ve heard the roaring planes overhead, or sat patiently while a co-worker described the waffle pizza they ate at the fairgrounds.

In this article, we highlight the CNE, aiming to get you better acquainted with Canadas’ largest summer fair. As the leading Toronto real estate agency, we live and breathe Toronto. And so, it’s only natural that we should celebrate one of its biggest summer traditions.

Below, learn more about the history, attractions, food, and entertainment that make the CNE an enduring legacy in the Six.

The Basic Details

Before we launch into the granular aspects of the CNE, let’s get some housework out of the way. If you want to attend the fair this summer, here’s what you need to know:

• Time: The CNE takes place this year from August 16 to September 2.
• Place: Head straight for Exhibition Place at 100 Princes’ Blvd, right around Strachan and the Gardiner.
• Cost: You can buy advance sale tickets from the website for $22.15 (the price is the same across all ages) or get your tickets at the door.

Now that that’s all sorted, take a deep dive with us into the fairgrounds.

National in Scope, Local at Heart: The History of the CNE

The history of The Ex is long and fascinating.

The CNE dates all the way back to September 1879. Funnily enough, by most accounts, the CNE got its start out of spite – or at least a little old-fashioned civic rivalry. Back in the 1800s, the province had a roving agricultural fair that would move from city to city. In 1878, Ottawa announced that it would host this agricultural fair on a permanent basis, thus shutting out all the other Ontario cities. Toronto didn’t take the news lying down; the city showed its competitive streak by building a fair of its own.

Thus, the Canadian National Exhibition was born… almost. Back then, it was called the Toronto Industrial Fair. It wasn’t until 1912 – when Toronto had well and truly surpassed other Canadian cities in population – that the city saw it fit to claim the CNE as Canada’s. This was a gigantic fair – national in scope, but local at heart.

Fast forward to the present day, and the CNE has added a bevy of permanent features and fixtures: rollers coasters, pavilions, gardens, casinos, Toronto’s oldest standing structure (the Scadding Cabin), various centres for sports culture in Toronto, and the list goes on.

Lastly, a tidbit of trivia: Canada’s first television broadcast was filmed and distributed from the CNE back in 1952 at the 73^rd fair. Who knows, that factoid could come in handy at a Toronto pub trivia night this August!

What’s On? Attractions and Events at the CNE

Every year, the Ex shakes things up with rotating performances, shows and features. Still, you can count on a few mainstays at the CNE. Whether you want to watch airplane formations, tuck into some strange food concoctions, or enjoy live music, the CNE has you covered. Some attractions and events to get excited for include:

• The Air Show: Maybe the most famous event at the fair (certainly the most divisive; some Torontonians love to complain about the air show), this aerial extravaganza is the longest running of its kind in North America.
• The Farm: Nestled in an agricultural building, “The Farm” is a nod to the fair’s origins. Meet the cute animals, and live like a farmer for the day as you “pick apples off a tree, dig for potatoes, milk a cow and collect eggs from the chickens.”
• The Celebrity Kitchen Stage: Watch Canada’s best and brightest chef demo their creations and hold intimate Q&As. If you’re a Toronto foodie, this is your kind of event.
• The Gaming Garage: With thousands of dollars in prizes on the line, you can test your gaming mettle at the Gaming Garage, essentially an arena-like setting where you can face off against other gamers to win cash.
• The Rides: Roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, teacups and more – the CNE rides represent an impressive array of thrills suitable for kids of all ages (even adult kids).
• SuperDogs: Everyone’s favourite canine performers, SuperDogs has been a fixture at the CNE for over 40 years. The recipe hasn’t changed because it hasn’t needed to: Watching dogs perform feats of acrobatics will always be entertaining.
• Live Music: This year, catch acts like Sloan, Brittany Howard, Big Boi (of Outkast), Big Wreck and many more musicians from Toronto’s thriving arts scene.
• The Drone Show: Meet the Air Show’s hip younger sibling, the Drone Show. Last year, spectators were treated to a spectacle of lights and laser-mounted drones that had everyone talking. No word on whether the CNE plans to bring back the popular event this year.
• The Food: Finally, there’s the food. In the past, we’ve been treated to food oddities like pickle cotton candy, cheeseburger ice cream, Krispy Kreme burgers, and poutine pizza. Of course, if you push your way past these strange, viral eats, you can actually get a normal meal at the CNE too.

If this is your summer for getting out there and exploring the city, consider adding the CNE to your list. It’s big, brash, adorable, weird, and uniquely Toronto. And it’s only here for a couple weeks each year.

Lastly, if the CNE leaves you with the urge to move to downtown Toronto, contact a Harvey Kalles Real Estate team member. Our professional and experienced agents can show you around the city – as close or as far from Exhibition Place as you want.