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Author Topic: I wish the CNE could be a real fair
Michelle
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posted 18 August 2008 02:35 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I love county fairs. The thing I love best about them is that locals get together, bring their artwork, handcrafts, baking, prize vegetables and livestock, and showcase them. They enter them into prize contests and get ribbons for them from panels of judges, and there's this sense of community, a sense of industriousness, a real highlight of the year for everyone who loves to grow things, make things, learn skills and then admire the work of their neighbours and friends and have their own work admired.

You don't get that at the CNE. The CNE is interesting and I enjoyed it when I went today. But I really wish that it could be a real fair.

They've got the midway down - and that's great - another real draw for county fairs, and I admit, the CNE does that better than any other fair I've ever been to.

But the exhibits leave a lot to be desired. The exhibits are nothing but sales booths for chain stores and independent retailers. That's not to say I don't enjoy going through those pavillions (well, except for the one that's merely a gigantic mall chain store sidewalk sale). I like seeing what independent retailers are selling, especially in the Arts and Crafts pavillion.

However, that's all there is. And I think that's kind of sad.

The City of Toronto is full of back yard gardeners, domestic gods and goddesses who love to bake, sew, can veggies and preserves, knit, and crochet, and artists who create gorgeous visual art. The Greater Toronto Area and even surrounding cities and towns have all this, plus family farmers, hobby farmers, etc.

So why can't the CNE have similar exhibits to county fairs, where people bring the things they've created and grown, and display their best work for each other to admire and, yes, for judges to sample and award ribbons?

Wouldn't that be fun? Wouldn't that be a much better use of space than acres of booths used by chain stores to sell mass-produced sweatshop clothing and furniture and remaindered books?


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
abnormal
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posted 18 August 2008 03:23 AM      Profile for abnormal   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think it's safe to say that's what it used to be many, many, many years ago.

Unfortunately the powers that be saw what exhibits/pavilions people were frequenting and the entire nature of the Ex changed as a result.

While I can't blame them for giving people what they want I do have to say the place has no character left. None.

Unless the kids get on my case I've stopped going.


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Michelle
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posted 18 August 2008 03:29 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well, I don't see why there can't be both, you know? Except for the shopping mall one. I don't think retail chain stores have any business at the Ex. It isn't a homeshow, it's supposed to be a fair. But sure, individual retailers who make their own stuff, like crafts, jams, teas, etc. - sure, great, let's have them. But kick out Bluenotes and book remainders and shit like that. We can go to the Dixie Mall for all that crap.

And you know, as we walked through the chain store areas, they weren't busy at all. The international fair was very busy (small importers selling handmade and traditional arts and crafts from countries around the world) and so was the arts and crafts pavillion with all the small business crafters and food/visual artisans. But the shopping mall and home show? Nowhere near as busy.

Pictures from yesterday's trip to the CNE

[ 18 August 2008: Message edited by: Michelle ]


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
jrose
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posted 18 August 2008 05:13 AM      Profile for jrose     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:
The City of Toronto is full of back yard gardeners, domestic gods and goddesses who love to bake, sew, can veggies and preserves, knit, and crochet, and artists who create gorgeous visual art. The Greater Toronto Area and even surrounding cities and towns have all this, plus family farmers, hobby farmers, etc.

So why can't the CNE have similar exhibits to county fairs, where people bring the things they've created and grown, and display their best work for each other to admire and, yes, for judges to sample and award ribbons?


I was thinking the exact same thing when I left the CNE on Saturday. Going to the CNE has never been an annual ritual for me, rather it's more a once a decade kind of thing (when I was 5, 15 and now 25). My past memories of the ex are fuzzy at best, and consist more of crying on midway rides when I was 5 and buying an awesome pair of earrings shaped like safety pins when I was 15. Besides those fuzzy memories, I didn't know what to expect.

I would have much rather attended an exhibition like the one you described, Michelle -- more about handmade goods and prize-winning vegetables, instead of discounted perfume and outdated books.

As we talked about (off babble) my favourite part would have been the livestock portion of the Ex, if it wasn't for the poor conditions for some of the animals and the way the emphasized that these animals would soon be somebody's supper.

Overall, a fun day ... but definitely room for much improvement. I don't know if I'll rush back next year, but give it another decade and I'll check back for sure.


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Robespierre
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posted 18 August 2008 05:27 AM      Profile for Robespierre     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:
Well, I don't see why there can't be both, you know? Except for the shopping mall one...

Pictures from yesterday's trip to the CNE


Yup, why not, right? I imagine that some of the same factors that shape up fairs in New York City might apply in Toronto, too. In NYC during the summer, the city government will hold fairs on the major avenues in Manhattan, and block off 10 or 20 blocks to automobile traffic, then invite any old vendors to set up. If the "Street Fair" has a theme, and they sometimes barely do except for a name, you may find some ethnic food stalls set up, but it's usually flooded by merchants selling typical crap like socks, jeans, mass-produced plastic jewelry, and pop music CD's! There might also be a live band, something really bad.

The reason they are bland as whitebread is because the city naturally views them only as a tax opportunity. Only when a community group really gets involved and insists on co-producing the fair will it be distictive and possibly nice. Otherwise, these things are just outdoor malls where you can drink beer.

Nice photos at the link, Michelle. Below this one:

You asked what that blue flag is, and guessed correctly that it is the Toronto city flag.

That design is supposed to represent the three rivers that pass through the city. It's actually one of the nicer modern city flags designs I've ever seen.


From: Raccoons at my door! | Registered: Jul 2008  |  IP: Logged
bigcitygal
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posted 18 August 2008 05:38 AM      Profile for bigcitygal     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It was a suburban teen ritual for me to go to the Ex each year and hang out with friends, meet boys, go on rides and eat sticky sweet cotton candy, etc. I have no sentimental attachment, though, since it was also always about spending money.

I long since stopped going because of noise and crowds and an adult aversion to rides, but I'm not surprised by the presence of chains selling more crap. I'm glad they aren't busy, but sometimes chains buy booths for presence and brand recognition rather than sales.

If anyone wants more locally-based "crafts and produce" -type fairs, check out local farmer's markets in Toronto. I've recently gone to the one at The Brickworks, off Bayview around the Don River. It's on Saturday mornings. It's a bit of a challenge to get to by TTC, but there is a shuttle bus from Broadview (?). And check out the Brickworks themselves, Toronto's best kept secret. Wildlife such as groundhogs, rabbits, birds, goldfish, turtles and frogs abound.

I knew that was the Toronto flag, but I didn't know about the three rivers. What are the three rivers? Don, Humber? What's the third one?


From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged
jrose
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posted 18 August 2008 05:42 AM      Profile for jrose     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by bigcitygal:
If anyone wants more locally-based "crafts and produce" -type fairs, check out local farmer's markets in Toronto. I've recently gone to the one at The Brickworks, off Bayview around the Don River. It's on Saturday mornings. It's a bit of a challenge to get to by TTC, but there is a shuttle bus from Broadview (?). And check out the Brickworks themselves, Toronto's best kept secret. Wildlife such as groundhogs, rabbits, birds, goldfish, turtles and frogs abound.


Sounds lovely, BCG.

Hamilton has a lovely
Makers Market, which features locally-grown food and preserves, book sellers, antique dealers, handmade crafts etc. etc.

It is very much on the small side, so I wouldn't recommend a trip from out of town to check it out, but it's a great little market to have a few times a summer/fall in my own neighbourhood.


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aka Mycroft
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posted 18 August 2008 05:42 AM      Profile for aka Mycroft     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Michelle, you should go to the Royal Winter Fair which is held on the CNE grounds in November - that exhibition still has a real country fair feeling.
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RevolutionPlease
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posted 18 August 2008 05:45 AM      Profile for RevolutionPlease     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think the 3rd would be the Rouge River, BCG.
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bigcitygal
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posted 18 August 2008 05:53 AM      Profile for bigcitygal     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by aka Mycroft:
Michelle, you should go to the Royal Winter Fair which is held on the CNE grounds in November - that exhibition still has a real country fair feeling.

And I remember the smell of horses and pigs and chickens. Prepare your nose beforehand! But I also remember a petting zoo for the kiddies (and those of us stuck in cutsie-ville) with baby chicks, sheep, bunnies. Cute!

quote:
Originally posted by RevolutionPlease:
I think the 3rd would be the Rouge River, BCG.

Thanks RP. I don't get east of Pape much!

From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged
jrose
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posted 18 August 2008 06:04 AM      Profile for jrose     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by aka Mycroft:
Michelle, you should go to the Royal Winter Fair which is held on the CNE grounds in November - that exhibition still has a real country fair feeling.

I haven’t been to the Royal in years, though my mom and sister go on a yearly basis because they are in the veterinary field. I have very, very fond memories of visiting as a child and in my early teens. They’ve already invited me to tag along with them this year, though I can’t remember exactly when in winter it falls.


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Michelle
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posted 18 August 2008 06:39 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by aka Mycroft:
Michelle, you should go to the Royal Winter Fair which is held on the CNE grounds in November - that exhibition still has a real country fair feeling.

Someone at my office was telling me exactly the same thing this morning! I'll have to check it out. I just looked at their web site, though, and it seems like mostly farm animals, right? Although I noticed a canning competition too, which is neat. But I guess because it's so late in the year, it would be impossible to have veggie contests like pumpkins, cucumbers, etc.


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Boom Boom
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posted 18 August 2008 10:28 AM      Profile for Boom Boom     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I used too love the Ottawa Exhibition when I was growing up. There were a lot of farm and animal exhibits, and I think a horse show as well. The Midway was noisy and smelly, but fun. I don't know if it's still on or whether it's still at Landsdowne Park, as I haven't been back to the Ottawa Ex since about 1974. I'd love to return, just for the memories.
From: Make the rich pay! | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged

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