Canadian National Exhibition - About The CNE

About The CNE

The CNE is held at Exhibition Place, which is a 192-acre site located along Toronto’s waterfront on the shores of Lake Ontario and just west of downtown Toronto. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO Transit provides easy transportation to the CNE with stops at Exhibition Place. The site features several buildings—many of which have been named significant under the Ontario Heritage Act—roads named after the Canadian provinces and territories, parks, fountains, plazas, a rose garden, statues and parking lots. When the exhibition was created in 1879, it was originally called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition. It was renamed in 1912 to the Canadian National Exhibition. The fair itself consists of a variety of pavilions, exhibits, shows, concerts, a working farm, horse show, petting zoo, casino, and a large carnival midway with rides, games and food. What used to be an exhibition just for agriculture and technology has now turned into an event for families and people of all ages to enjoy. Entertainment, thrills, and the wide variety of international foods are just some of the attractions that the CNE has to offer. To many people in the Greater Toronto Area and the surroundings communities, the CNE is an annual family tradition. The CNE attracts thousands of tourists each year, contributing to the Toronto's economy and culture. On January 27, 2012, it was announced that the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place and the City of Toronto have agreed to allow the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) to become financially independent in 2013. This will allow the CNEA to make their own decisions regarding business and consumer opportunities.

2011 CNE programs: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show, Bandshell Stage concerts, At Home Pavilion Celebrity Stage, Rising Star Youth Talent Competition, Horse Show, International Stage, Ken Jen Petting Zoo, costumed characters, rock sculptures, butter sculptures, sand sculptures, RibFest, and the Canadian International Air Show. The 2011 CNE programs also included:

• President's Choice SuperDogs Show, which features over 50 dogs from many different breeds
• The Farm, where children and adults alike can learn about rural communities, see what equipment it takes to run a farm, and even get up close and personal with farm animals.
• Midway and Kiddie Midway, featuring many rides. One of the most famous rides at the CNE is the grand ferris wheel.
• The Garden Show, which has beautiful and colourful floral displays.
• International Marketplace and Food Building, which presents food and material goods from all over the globe.
• A variety of daily live performances like musical acts, dancers, comedy shows, and even magic shows.
• FLOWRIDER Splash Zone (from Wave Loch Inc.) where people can partake in many activities such as surfing and beach volleyball.
• Mardi Gras Parade, occurring daily and exhibiting large, colourful floats and entertaining performers.

In 2012, The CNE will celebrate its 133rd Anniversary, opening on Friday, August 17 and continuing until Labour Day on Monday, September 3. It has been announced that the FLOWRIDER Splash Zone will return as an attraction this year along with the regular exhibitions, horse and dog shows, parades, international cuisine, the International Marketplace, live farm, musical performances, midway and the Canadian International Air Show, which has become a tradition at the CNE during Labour Day weekend. This will be the 63rd year in which the 3-day air show will be a part of the CNE.