Wikipedia

History of the Canadian National Exhibition

The Canadian National Exhibition is an annual fair held at the end of August in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1879 as a modest industrial exhibition and has expanded to an annual fair that attracts over one and a half million persons during its two-and-a-half week run.

Main Building (Crystal Palace) in 1878

Beginnings

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In September 1846, the Provincial Agricultural Fair of Canada West, sponsored by the Provincial Agricultural Association and the Board of Agriculture for Canada West, was held in Toronto in the area near present-day King and Simcoe Streets. While primarily an agricultural event, it also displayed manufactured goods and decorative arts and crafts. The fair was a success, and it was proposed that future fairs be held in different locations each year. In 1847, the fair was held in Hamilton and thereafter travelled to such cities as Cobourg, Kingston, Niagara, and Brockville.[1]

 
An advertisement for the 1884 Toronto Industrial Exhibition.

In 1852, the fair returned to the west side of University Avenue (see Grange Park (neighbourhood)), stretching from a bit north of Dundas Street to a bit south of College Street. It lasted four days. The Horse Park, on the west side of the grounds, was loaned to the fair by Mrs. Boulton, who lived in the Grange, and it was bounded on the north by the Caer Howell Pleasure Grounds (in a way a forerunner of the midway). The fair was a success, attracting more than 30,000 visitors.[citation needed] After the 1852 fair, the Board of the Association passed the resolution to the Government to support municipalities who would construct permanent structures for the fair. The City of Toronto received 20 acres (8.1 ha) of Garrison Reserve lands south of the Lunatic Asylum, west of the city, on King Street West and constructed the CA$5,000 'Palace of Industry', nicknamed the 'Crystal Palace', its walls were cast iron and glass (this being prior to electric lighting), in time for the next time the event was held in Toronto, in 1858.[2]

After the 1877 fair held in London, Toronto City Council won the right to hold the fair in 1878. The current site on King Street was considered unsuitable and City Council promised new facilities. The City arranged for a lease with the Government of Canada of 50 acres (20 ha) of the Military Reserve west of Old Fort York, at the foot of Dufferin Street for CA$100 (equivalent to $3,847 in 2023) per year. To build the facilities, the City estimated the cost at CA$450,000, which was put to a vote of Toronto taxpayers in May 1878. The vote failed, and plans were made to finance the new site through a CA$75,000 (equivalent to $2,885,180 in 2023) bond offering. Beginning in July, with only three months to complete the site, preparations began on the site. The 1878 fair was held on the new site at the foot of Dufferin Street. The City moved the Crystal Palace from its site on King Street to a place on the grounds to serve as the main exhibition space. A second floor and cupola was added to the building when it was reconstructed.[3]

After the 1878 fair, Toronto City Council and the local Exhibition Committee approached the Provincial Agriculture Association with a proposition: that the fair remain permanently in Toronto. The Association thanked City Council and the Exhibition Committee for their work in delivering a successful fair in 1878 but informed them that a decision had already been made to move the fair to another city in 1879.[1] Council, along with local businessmen, moved ahead with plans to establish a permanent fair in Toronto. The Agricultural Association refused again to hold the fair in Toronto, and instead the new permanent fair became the Toronto Industrial Exhibition (TIE), an incorporated entity.[4]

The new fair opened to the public on Tuesday, September 2, 1879,[5] and lasted for three weeks (Sundays excepted). The exhibition hosted an attendance of an estimated 100,000 paid admissions.[6] The first fair had 8,234 exhibits and CA$100,000 of buildings.[6] The first fair was officially opened by Governor General John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne and Princess Louise the following Friday, September 5, the Marquess declaring "I have much pleasure in declaring the Toronto Industrial Exhibition formally open to the public."[7] The day was capped by a grand ball held off-site at the Pavilion at Allan Gardens.[6] The fair was staggered, showing animals in the second and third weeks.

For that first fair, the York Pioneers Historical Society, on its own, relocated the 1794 Scadding Cabin settler's log cabin to the site.[8] The Grandstand show was a display of prize animals.[9] The track of the Military Reserve and its Grandstand was used for equestrian displays and several wooden structures were built for other exhibits and live stock.[6] Attendees arrived by carriage by Dufferin Street, by boat at two wharves, by the Great Western Railway line and the street railway, which was extended to Strachan Avenue.[4] A row of pens along the waterfront held the live stock.

 
Electric railways at the CNE in 1884. The railways were introduced to the CNE the previous year.

As the fair grew, it exhibited the latest technological advances. TIE patrons were introduced to electric railway transportation in 1884, to Edison's phonograph in 1888, to the wireless telephone in the 1889, to radio in 1903.

Canadian National Exhibition

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The 1904 fair was the first known as the Canadian National Exhibition.[10] The directors promised "much-improved displays of Canadian manufacturers, live stock, machinery and produce."[10] The art gallery displayed paintings valued at CA$200,000 (equivalent to $7,191,248 in 2023). The grand stand show was a "pyro-military spectacle entitled 'The Relief of Lucknow'", featuring pipers of The Black Watch and fireworks.[10] Acts at the fair included "Dare-devil Schreyer" who jumped from a bicycle 108 feet (33 m) in the air to a 2 feet (61 cm)-deep tank of water below. Other acts included trained bears, trained lions, aerial acrobatics and the demonstration of a musical instrument known as the "myriaphone."[10] The Exhibition grounds were part of the Dunlop 15 miles (24 km) bicycle road race from High Park through Toronto and back.[11] As a special promotion, the fair offered a limited number of tickets at six for a dollar.[10]

In the early 1900s, new buildings were constructed, designed by Exhibition architect G. W. Gouinlock in the Beaux-Arts style. The Horticulture Building was built in 1907 to replace the Crystal Palace, which had burned down in 1906. It was used for many years by the fair, but has been leased out since the 1990s. Also that year, the Music Building was constructed as the Railways Building, designed for the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific Railway. The Government Building, also known as the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building was built in 1911.

In 1921, the fair held its first Warriors' Day Parade of veterans, nurses and armed forces personnel. It was overseen by new Governor General of Canada Lord Byng. In 1927, the parade would inaugurate the new Princes' Gates, with a review of veterans by the Edward, Prince of Wales and Prince George. The Princes' Gate marked the eastern expansion of the fair grounds to Strachan Avenue. Up until that time, the main entrance was the Dufferin Gate at Dufferin Street.

The growing attendance and high take-up by exhibitors led to the approval in 1921 of two new buildings - the Pure Foods Building and the Machinery Hall, to take exhibitors from the Manufacturers' Building.[12] The Pure Foods Building was built north of the Grandstand at a cost of CA$150,000 and opened in 1922.[13] The Machinery Hall opened in 1923.

 
The CNE Bandshell under construction in 1936. The old bandstand is to its right

The CNE introduced swimming marathons in the 1920s. In 1927, the marathon was 21 miles (34 km) in length, had a prize purse of CA$50,000[14] and had over 400 participants. With so many participants, it had to be held in relays of 75 swimmers.[15] In 1928, the 10 miles (16 km) Wrigley Marathon was held.[16] 66 women swimmers participated for the prize of CA$15,000, won by Ethel Hertle.[17]

In 1927, the CNE moved its livestock displays indoors into the new Live Stock Pavilion, just west of the Princes' Gate. Built by the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, it replaced wooden structures and tents that temporarily housed the animals. The new building had room for 2,000 cattle, 1,500 pigs and 1,200 sheep, plus a judging ring and veterinary space.[18]

In 1932, tragedy struck the Midway, when 19-year-old Belle Lichman would break her back in a diving act on the Midway. Lichman became paralyzed from the neck down from the injury. Lichman died four years later from influenza.[19]

The 1934 fair celebrated the centennial of the City of Toronto with special displays at the grand plaza south of the Horticultural Building.

In 1936, the CNE introduced the CNE Bandshell, an outdoor covered concert stage south of the Horticultural Building. The Bandshell was funded with surplus funds from the 1935 fair.[20] The Bandshell replaced a small bandstand in the park, and became a site for regular concerts. Seating is outdoors on benches. The first event was the official opening of the fair by Ontario Premier Hepburn with a concert by the Kneller Hall Band from the UK's National School of Music in Twickenham, England on August 27, 1936.[21]

In 1937, Conklin Shows was awarded the contract to provide amusement rides and games for the CNE midway. The company was sold in 2004 for US$100 million and merged with two other carnival operators to form North American Midway Entertainment, which now operates the midway.[22]

In 1939, the CNE held its first live television demonstration.[23] Television models had been displayed in previous years by individual retailers in static displays.

World War 2 hiatus

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Miss War Worker Beauty Contest held at the CNE during the Second World War.

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. 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 used 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.[citation needed]

Post-war

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The CNE resumed in 1947. Patrons returned to see the latest in consumer goods and agricultural advancements. Exhibits included demonstrations of plastics and synthetics.

The Grandstand (the third on the site) burned down that year, which led to the city constructing a covered north-side grandstand (known as CNE Grandstand and later Exhibition Stadium) for CA$3 million in 1948.[24][25][26][27][28] It was used for concerts, auto racing and military tattos as well as the Toronto Argonauts football team.

In 1949, the Canadian International Air Show moved to the CNE.[29] The CNE had held aerial displays dating back to 1919, when Fokker D VII fighters were flown along the waterfront and 1939, when RCAF aircraft made a flypast.[29]

During the 1950s, the remaining military part of the site, the Stanley Barracks, was wound down. Its final use was for temporary housing of servicemen after the war.

 
The now vanished "Flyer" rollercoaster, and the likewise vanished Exhibition Stadium at the CNE in 1985, as seen from the giant Ferris wheel.

New buildings and structures continued to be constructed, including the Queen Elizabeth Building and Theatre and the Better Living Centre. The CA$1.5 million Food Building was opened in 1954 to replace the 'Pure Foods Building with a 50% larger facility.[30] The Princess Margaret Fountain, designed by Design Craft, was opened by Princess Margaret on July 31, 1958.[31] In 1961, the exhibition was successful in luring the Hockey Hall of Fame to the site in a combined building with the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. The Halls of Fame would be one of the first buildings on the site to be open beyond the fair.

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. An observation tower, the Shell Oil Tower, was constructed at the intersection of Princes' Boulevard and the Midway. The Midway developed the nickname 'Mile and a Half Midway' for its extensive length.

The CNE sponsored other sporting competitions, including baseball on a new diamond. In 1954, the CNE sponsored a Lake Ontario-crossing swim. It was unexpectedly completed by 16-year-old Marilyn Bell after American swimmer Florence Chadwick and others dropped out.

The Mighty Flyer- a wooden roller coaster was built in 1953 by Conklin Shows. It was a permanent fixture that lasted until 1992.[32] In 1955, the Shell Oil Tower (later known as the Bulova Tower) was erected.[33] It was a see-through structure of glass and steel with an observation platform at 90 feet (27 m) above the ground.[34][35] The tower was demolished to make way for the Indy race,[36] which paid the cost of demolition. It had been closed the previous two years due to safety concerns.[37]

In 1958, the fair was extended from 14 to 16 days. In 1968, changes in blue laws allowed the CNE to open for the first time on Sundays, extending the fair to 18 days.[38]

In 1966, Conklin built the "Alpine Way" cable-car system, connecting people from the west side of the Food Building to near the Princes' Gate.[39] The Alpine Way was reported to cost CA$710,000. It carried passengers 2,175 feet (663 m) at 100 feet (30 m) above-ground for a bird's eye view of the fair.[40] In exchange for its construction, Conklin Shows was given 85% of the proceeds for its first ten years, and 75% of the proceeds for the next ten years.[41] In 1971, it was estimated to carry 400,000 passengers every fair and was Conklin's most profitable attraction.[41]

In 1972, the Electrical and Engineering Building (of 1927) just west of the Princes' Gate was demolished due to structural concerns. Exhibits in the building were moved to the Automotive Building. In 1974, the International Building, hosting a Spain exhibit, burned down. The building had annually featured a different country with product, travel and tourism exhibits. It was not replaced.

By 1990, the fairgrounds had lost the Blue Jays and Argonauts and Exhibition Stadium was demolished, which also meant the end of concerts at the Stadium during the Ex. To reinvigorate the site and reduce annual deficits, major changes were made. In 1997, the new 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) National Trade Centre (now the Enercare Centre) exhibition complex was built west of the Princes' Gate on the site of the old Electrical and Engineering Building. It was integrated with the Coliseum and the Agriculture Annex, forming a large, configurable exhibition space with arena and agricultural facilities intended to cater to trade conventions and consumer shows year-round. The new building meant large changes for the site. The popular Alpine Way was demolished in 1994.[42] The streetcar loop was moved north, under the Gardiner Expressway. A tunnel under Princes' Boulevard was made to connect to the Automotive Building, which became a meeting centre, as automotive displays had moved to the downtown Convention Centre, and unused during the fair.

At the same time the older buildings at the western end of the fair were not up to contemporary standards and the whole Exhibition Place site was running a yearly deficit, and there were no funds for refits. Three of the westernmost former exhibit buildings have since been leased out to private attractions and are used year-round, generating revenue for the site, but are not part of the fair. The Ontario Government Building, which held travel and nature exhibits of Ontario during the fair, had been abandoned when Ontario Place was built. The Arts, Crafts and Hobbies, and Horticulture Buildings were also decrepit.[43] The exhibit space lost was replaced with the National Trade Centre space. This shrunk the fair's footprint and the Dufferin Gate is no longer used as an admission gate to the fair.

21st century

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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 2010, the CNE became the first fair in North America and the first large-scale event on the continent to achieve EcoLogo Certification.[citation needed]

In 2012, Canadian Olympic gold-medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir performed in La Vie: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show during the first 15 days of the fair, and three-time World Champion and Olympic silver-medalist Elvis Stojko closed out the show on Labour Day weekend. In 2015, Virtue and Moir returned for another ice skating and aerial acrobatics show, Bon Voyage![citation needed]

In both 2013 and 2014, the CNE featured a zip line ride. The CNE zip line was the highest and longest temporary zip line in the world.[citation needed] The launch tower, positioned southeast of the Food Building, measured 180 ft (55 m) high. The landing tower, southwest of the current Enercare Centre, was 60 ft (18 m). The zip line ride consisted of four lines, each measuring nearly 1,100 ft (340 m).[44] Zip line riders travelled at approximately 65 km/hour.[citation needed]

Southwest of the Automotive Building, the Hotel X Toronto was built. This completed the on-site suite of services for meetings and conventions. It is connected to the Automotive Building by a bridge allowing access free of weather concerns to meeting facilities. The new hotel site encompassed the former Stanley Barracks site, of which the Officer's Quarters remains, reducing parking at the fair. The former baseball diamond at the very west of the site was converted to a Toronto Raptors practice facility. The annual baseball tournament was moved outside of the site to Coronation Park.

 
An F-35 Lightning II performs a high-speed pass during the 70th Canadian International Air Show, at the CNE.

In 2016, the CNE saw the return of programming at the CNE waterfront with a daily water ski show, and national and international competitions—made possible as a result of infrastructure investment on the West Channel for the 2015 Pan American Games.[citation needed] The same year also saw the introduction of the inaugural CNE Innovation Garage, featuring a pitch competition and displays—a throwback to the CNE's history of showing new technological advances.

In 2020, the CNE and all associated in-person events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time the CNE has been cancelled since World War II.[45] The CNE reported that this caused a loss of over $35 million in potential revenue, and $128 million in economic impact to Ontario.[46] In 2021, due to the continued pandemic, the City of Toronto government 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."[47]

The CNE resumed operations in 2022. The re-opening on August 19, 2022, was made possible due to funding received from both the Government of Canada ($7.1 million) and the Province of Ontario ($1.6 million). The financial assistance facilitated the introduction of new innovative programming featuring immersive heritage exhibits, enhancements to the Gaming Garage powered by AMD, a reoccurring nightly drone show and a multimedia show called "NEVAEH & the Northstar", both presented by VinFast.[48]

The 2023 CNE surpassed the 2015 attendance with 1,604,000 visitors passing through its gates. Attractions included the Fountain Show and the Canadian International Air Show on the waterfront. The Coliseum held an Ice Skating and Acrobatics Show "Time Flies" with Elvis Stojko. The Better Living Centre hosted a Pink Floyd exhibition. The bandshell's entertainment included Dionne Warwick, Jann Arden, Amanda Marshall, Kim Mitchell, Tynomi Banks and Kardinal Offishal.[49]

In 2023, the Canadian National Exhibition marked the 130th anniversary of the Ferris Wheel by welcoming the Super Wheel, the first of its kind to appear in Toronto.[50] Fairgoers had views of the lake and the city, inside 36-climate controlled gondolas that held four to six guests per gondola.[51][52]

References

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  1. ^ a b CNE Archives. 2013.
  2. ^ "THE THIRTEENTH EXHIBITION: THE CORNER STONE THE CRYSTAL PALACE". The Globe. September 29, 1858. p. 2.
  3. ^ "Crystal Palace". CNE. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "THE EXHIBITION: Active Preparations for the Opening PROSPECTS OF AN IMMENSE SHOW History of the Exhibition Association Doings at the Grounds". The Globe. September 1, 1879. p. 4.
  5. ^ "THE EXHIBITION: Opened to the Public Yesterday". The Globe. September 3, 1879. p. 2.
  6. ^ a b c d "FAIR'S GROWTH FROM YEAR 1846: How it Developed From the Old Provincial Exhibition". The Globe. August 25, 1917. p. 14.
  7. ^ "WELCOME!: Arrival of the Governor-General and Princess Louise: AN IMMENSE AND ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING: The Landing at the Foot of Lorne-street: THE SOHOLARS' GREETING: The Procession to Horticultural Gardens: PRESENTATION OF THE CIVIC ADDRESS: Formal Opening of the Exhibition". The Globe. September 6, 1879. p. 2.
  8. ^ "The Scadding Cabin". York Pioneer and Historical Society. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  9. ^ "SAW FIRST FAIR 70 YEARS BACK: James Morrison is Just as Keenly Interested in Present Exhibition". The Globe. September 6, 1917. p. 8.
  10. ^ a b c d e "CANADA'S GREAT FAIR: PREPARATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1904 Will be Finer Than Ever Before". The Globe. July 16, 1904. p. 25.
  11. ^ "Big Bicycle Event". The Globe. September 5, 1904. p. 11.
  12. ^ "NEW BUILDING FOR PURE FOODS: C. N. E. Board Approves Site Also for Machinery Exhibit". The Globe. December 15, 1921. p. 9.
  13. ^ "ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE IS NEW PURE FOOD BUILDING INITIATING 50-YEAR SCHEME: Plan Adopted by Canadian National Exhibition Officials Is to Take Care of Future Needs Arising for Next Half Century-- Cost Is $150,000". The Globe. August 15, 1922. p. 12.
  14. ^ "WORLD'S BEST SWIM IN RACE AT C. N. E". The Globe. May 16, 1927. p. 11.
  15. ^ "PLANS ARE OUTLINED TO GUIDE SWIMMERS IN C.N.E. MARATHON: 422 Entrants Will Start in Relays Five Minutes Apart". The Globe. August 25, 1927. p. 23.
  16. ^ "66 Women Swimmers Are Competing Today For World Championship: With Crown of Honor Goes Handsome Cash Prize". The Globe. August 29, 1928. p. 1.
  17. ^ "Ethel Hertle Is Winner Of Wrigley Marathon; Seattle Girl Is Second". The Globe. August 30, 1928. p. 1.
  18. ^ "FEATURE OF FAIR IS SHOWN TO BE IN NEW PAVILION: Structure Attracts Attention as Visitor Enters Princes' Gate". The Globe. August 27, 1927. p. 7.
  19. ^ "Diving Girl Loses Fight With Death". The Globe. October 20, 1936. p. 1.
  20. ^ "C.N.E. TO SPEND SURPLUS FUNDS". The Globe. August 13, 1936. p. 10.
  21. ^ "Music Will Blend With Fine Colors: New C.N.E. Band Shell To Be Opened". The Globe. August 27, 1936. p. 3.
  22. ^ Willis, Andrew (October 26, 2004). "FINANCING: New boutique ZED offers debt-linked funding STREETWISE". The Globe and Mail. p. B19.
  23. ^ "Display Ad - Everything For You!". The Globe. August 24, 1939. p. 8.
  24. ^ "'To Cost Over 4 Million,' Asks Grandstand Probe". The Globe and Mail. September 21, 1948.
  25. ^ "Fireworks Over CNE: Council Would Let Ex Boss Grandstand, Field; Fiery Aldermen Object". The Globe and Mail. November 2, 1948.
  26. ^ Coleman, Jim (September 29, 1948). "By Jim Coleman". The Globe and Mail.
  27. ^ Tumpane, Frank (December 7, 1949). "Sweet reason". The Globe and Mail.
  28. ^ "Spring Rehabilitation: Offer to Improve CNE Sports Field For 1950 Grey Cup". The Globe and Mail. December 7, 1949.
  29. ^ a b "Canadian International Air Show fonds". CNE Archives. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  30. ^ "CNE Approves New Food Building To Cost $1,500,000". The Globe and Mail. May 12, 1953. p. 23.
  31. ^ "Princess to Speak: Itinerary Allows Time for Margaret to Greet 20,000 at Grandstand". Toronto Star. July 30, 1958. p. 4.
  32. ^ "The Flyer's Grounded". Toronto Star. April 25, 1992. p. A1.
  33. ^ "Last ditch plea fails as wreckers hit Bulova Tower". Toronto Star. November 26, 1985. p. A6.
  34. ^ Martins-Manteiga 2007, p. 73.
  35. ^ Schiller, Bill (September 16, 1985). "Time may be running out for clock tower". Toronto Star. p. B16.
  36. ^ Martins-Manteiga 2007, p. 11.
  37. ^ "Demolition permit issued for Bulova Tower". Toronto Star. November 7, 1985. p. B1.
  38. ^ Donald Newman (August 19, 1968). "CNE makes history with Sunday crowd". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 1.
  39. ^ "Lord Thomson opens CNE: Girls are go-go. cable car isn't". The Globe and Mail. August 20, 1966. p. 5.
  40. ^ "New sights and sounds: Variety marks Ex entertainment". The Globe and Mail. August 17, 1966. p. 11.
  41. ^ a b "CNE ride fails during storm; 30 trapped for 90 minutes". The Globe and Mail. August 23, 1971. p. 5.
  42. ^ MacKinnon, Donna Jean (October 13, 1994). "CNE Cable Cars Bite The Dust". Toronto Star. p. A7.
  43. ^ Hall, Joseph (August 7, 2004). "EXtreme Makeover". Toronto Star. pp. E1, E4, E5.
  44. ^ McGinnis, Rick (August 17, 2013). "The CNE gets a 1000+ foot zip line for 2013". blogto.com. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "Canadian National Exhibition Makes Historic Decision to Cancel the 2020 Fair" (PDF) (Press release). CNEA. May 12, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  46. ^ "All major summer events, including CNE, Caribbean Carnival, cancelled again this year, city says". CP24. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  47. ^ "Difficult Decisions Ahead for the Canadian National Exhibition as the City of Toronto Extends Cancellation of In-Person Major Events through to Labour Day" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2021.
  48. ^ "A Historic Year for the Canadian National Exhibition, and Preliminary Attendance Figures Indicate Likewise" (PDF). theex.com. September 2, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  49. ^ "Record-Breaking Attendance for the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition" (PDF). theex.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  50. ^ "Ex-Citing Additions: Superwheel's debut will have heads spinning at CNE". August 9, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  51. ^ "From Thrill Rides to Kiddie Rides, Our Carnival Rides Can't Be Forgotten". Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  52. ^ "Ferris Wheel, ca. 1900". theex.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
 
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