Friday, August 16, 2013

let's go to the Ex!

Today is the day the Canadian National Exhibition, or the CNE, or 'the Ex' as it is affectionately called, opens for the 135th year. It runs for 18 days up to and including Labour Day. The next day is the first day of school, so around here 'the Ex' symbolizes the beginning of the end of summer.
For PostcardFriendshipFriday, here are three postcards of the eastern entrance graced by the Princes' Gates.

this first one is a "Canadian Art Deeptone" series
The Canadian National Exhibition has been held annually since 1879 and is the  greatest annual exhibition in the world. It is international in scope. The investment in grounds and buildings is about $20,000,000 with almost 100 permanent buildings covering 350 acres and with a mile and a half  of lake frontage. Annual attendance is over 2,000,000 with annual receipts over a million and a quarter.

this "Colourpicture" card was part of a booklet as you can see from the perforated edge

Incorporated in 1879, the C.N.E. is staged annually at a cost of $2,225,000; covers 350 acres 1 1/2  miles along Lake Ontario; has 14 miles of paved streets; 2 1/4 million sq feet of display space. Coliseum Arena seats 12,000; C.N.E. Grandstand , 26,000. Record attendance 2,723,000.





finally, a "Plastichrome" by Colourpicture which is newer and has none of the statistics favoured by the above written on the back. 


There are nine pillars, representing the nine (at the time) provinces.

Princes’ Gates was opened in 1927 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, and his brother Prince George, the Duke of York, crowned King George VI after his brother’s abdication.


and just to continue with the stats theme..... from the website - 
Over the course of its 18 day run, the CNE attracts more than 1.3 million people each year. so, slightly less than during the 1940s(?) when these first 2 postcards were produced.


CNE Lets Go to the Ex 1982 by Retrontario

12 comments:

  1. I loved that when it first came out and I still do...especially the talking cow.

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    1. I think they should make an updated version - perhaps showing some bacon :)

      When was the last time you went to the Ex?

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    2. 1976 .... we went with our daughter in a back pack. I found out that day that I no longer found the Ex an attractive place to spend the day.

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    3. I went last year for the first time in many years. Was a little saddened to see it seemed just a big, old flea market.

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  2. I'm curious why our dear Beth hasn't opened PFF yet ... I'm happy though to be rounding up blogs whom I always find at PFF and happy too that you posted for PFF even though the roll isn't out yet.

    It's nice to learn about CNE with your post. :) I never knew it before. Happy weekend!

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  3. I've never really been to the Ex. I find it crazy to spend $20 to enter a place where you will just have to spend more money. :S

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    1. it is crazy money. but it's also only $5 after 5pm.

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  4. I was last at the CNE about 25 years ago. I live in BC now. We lived in London On. Growing up and it was always a great and anticipated train trip to the CNE from the time I was maybe 7 years old. My aunt and uncle would take my cousin and I every year. Thanks for the post and the memories.

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    1. you're welcome. I don't think the PNE is nearly as popular as the CNE, though it may be as iconic to people in Vancouver.

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  5. And it's unused the rest of the year? It seems a waste of a great facility if so.

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    1. It is well used all year long. The buildings host a variety of conferences and conventions and trade shows as well as theatre and the annual Indy car race.

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Glad you stopped by. For anyone who stumbled here, don't be shy to say 'hi' and let me know you've visited!