Let’s go to the Ex….already?
Okay, how did that happen? It’s the 11th of August. The CNE begins later this week! This Friday! I always loved going as a kid, but, it always meant the bittersweet end of summer. I’m getting things geared up for the weekend countdown. I don’t have the top 20 ready yet, we still need more of your votes on that. I’m in the process of writing all the other stuff and want to hear what your favorite CNE memories are? I’d like to include some of your emails in the countdown, so please include a first name and where you live. Use the bonus code CNE for some extra points.
Thanks in advance:)
Sam
August 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Hi Sam.
My CNE highlights are the numerous great concerts held at CNE Stadium
over the years. Full stadium shows by Springsteen, The Who,
Pink Floyd, The Eagles come to mind.
Cheers,
Bill from Mississauga
August 11th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Sam,
It’s the EX already? Holy crow! Holy @#! I feel like I’ve hardly done anything. Many of my tennis games have been washed out and I’ve hardly played any golf. After the winter we had, I/we deserve better.
My favourite memories of the EX are (of course) visiting the food buildings, where it was common to get some good eats for real cheap. Now everything is full-price and it’s not even that good.
Welcome back Samantha,
Neil
North York
August 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I had a friend who worked at one of the games, and when I played, I won every time. I ended up bringing home a huge bag of stuffed toys that I shared with my friends…..
August 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
best part of the EX was going to the food building and watching then make the ‘Tiny Tom’s’ Donuts. Waited all year for these
August 11th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Ok, I’m really aging myself with this CNE confession. But here goes. Back in the day, when wigs were all the rage, my mother - la fashionista - was not one to miss out on the trend. So, seeing as she wasn’t a ride person, I pursuaded her to go on the bumper cars. There she was, all wigged out. Bless her. You know how there’s that rod up the back of it that connects the bumper car to some electrical monstrosity up above? Well, my mum must have connected with the right charge because zzzzap, her wig flew straight up (like one of those “test your strength” games on the midway that you have hit with a big hammer). Zing up it went, and the look of sheer horror on my mother’s face? Priceless. Ah, good times…forgive me ma, it’s funny
That said, my best memory was just being with my mum, dad and brother and having a b-l-a-s-t!!!!
August 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Welcome back Sam. Jeff did a good job but we missed you.
My fondest memory of the Ex in my younger years was going to the Scottish World Festival Tattoo at Exhibition Stadium with my Mom. From 1972 to 1980, the Ex opened with the Tattoo. My Father is from Edinburgh, Scotland therefore bagpipes are in my blood. The tug of war and the grand finale were always my favourite parts.
I know there’s a Scottish Festival in Fergus, ON (held last weekend), but with no wheels, it’s hard to get to.
TTFN,
Louise (Etobicoke, ON)
August 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I grew up an ’80s kid so, going to The Ex was 20 years ago. My fave memories are the cool ’80s rock blaring through the midway!!! Being upside down on the Gravatron with Billy Idol saying to go “more, more, more”. Walking around & hearing Guns & Roses’ Sweet Chile O Mine playing over the speakers. Being on the Polar Bear Express with fast guitar riffs filling my head. I wish I could go back!!!! ; ]
August 11th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
walking up the Boluva Tower… the butter sculpture…. rolling down the hill outside the Better Living building down to the Lakeshore…playing bingo with my Gramma
Linda–from Collingwood (living currently in TO)
August 11th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hi, I have always loved the CNE. I still go almost every day it is on. I think my favorite memories are going down in the late ’60’s amost every day when they had in the automotive building a place they called “Time Being” and you could see some really good bands, I think Alice Cooper was there once. I was a teenager then. I love alot of things about the CNE. I also loved the rides like the flyer. I’m from Toronto.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi Sam,
Snow cones and elephant ears!!!
I remember always having to walk to the ex, (I lived at Dupont & Dufferin so it was a long trek), going was fine, but coming home was oh so hard on the feet. But it was all worth it. We got free passes from school, and ate whatever they were giving away in the Food building. The first thing I ever won was a teeny, tiny Topo Gigio (from The Ed Sullivan Show) mouse. I clutched him like he was gold. Then my girlfriend and I got separated and I cried. Was so nervous I chewed the tail off of that plastic mouse.
We laugh about it still to this very day.
Claire from Etobicoke
August 11th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Going to see John Cougar Mellencamp there and one of the most famous Blue Jays was sitting directly in front of me and everyone was bothering him for his autograph and for the life of me, I can’t remember his name and it will probably come to me as soon as I’ve sent this!! They finally led him out and he probably ended up backstage!! I think it was in the year of 1993, 4or 5?? Also saw the Stones there too. Both great shows!!
Glad your back Sam and hope you had yourself a restful vacation!!
April
August 12th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest persons!!Glad your back,sounds like you had a great holiday.
Cheers
Jack and Callum
August 12th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Hey, Samantha;
I was a teenager when my family moved back to Toronto from my childhood in Dartmouth and a couple of years in Belleville. The first few trips were with my parents but after that my pals and I would cruise the midway and rides trying to win the stuffed animal “de jour”. Whenever anybody says the Ex now, all I can think of is that Midway barker calling “Doggy, Dawwwwwwgieee” over, and over, and over again.
I’ll be there again this year.
Gail
August 12th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hey Sam,
Last summer my family and I had the honour of being the first family of the CNE. Another radio station here in Toronto have an on line contest to be the first family through the Prince’s gates. We got a limo to the EX. Rode a float to cut the ceremonial ribbon, got our picture taken for the paper, were invited to a VIP breakfast, got play all day passes, coupons for food and a limo home. A photographer followed us around during the morning and took some wicked photos of us on rides. Not only did we get a free day at the EX but we won a trip to Paris for one week, hotel and flight and $2,000 spending money. The we in this amazing story includes my two kids, 13 & 15, my husband and I. We went during the March break and had a great time. The EX rocks !!!!! Let’s go….
August 12th, 2008 at 7:42 am
PS…. I’m Diane from Mississauga….. (I sent a comment already about winning the first family contest last summer ) Needless to say I love everything about the EX. I used to go as a teenager mostly to check out the guys. I had forgotten how much fun it was until last summer. We opened it up and closed it down. This summer I will go with my sister to shop…. shop…. shop…..
August 12th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Samantha
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Have a great one
August 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Happy birthday Sam!
We missed you, even though Jeff C and Jeff B did great in your absence.
I remember going on the Haunted House ride and you know how it comes in and out of the building the higher it goes. Well, when the car makes its final exit from the building, there was a guy standing outside waiting to scare the people in the car. @#$% He would sneak up behind you as the car was making its way to the exit gate.
I also remember the cotton candy, candy apples, snow cones, etc…. I can’t wait to go back this year!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Welcome back Sam. By the way, Happy Birthday today!
Annette
August 12th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Oops, forgot to include where I am from.
Miranda from Brampton
August 12th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Happy Birthday Sam, glad you’re back! Enjoy your day.
August/Leo babies ROCK!
August 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
happy birthday Samantha! Have a wonderful day
August 12th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Heartfelt wishes for a wonderful birthday. You are a pleasure to listen to.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
H.B. Sam
To me, I will always remember the EX after hours. Having been in the outdoor amusement industry, the EX means long hours of work with a big payoff at the end. Having to shower in the horse building (which also had a 24 hour concession stand) or hitting the “booze can” is just some of the many memories I have at the EX. I have no idea what happens now after hours but the CNE is home for a good percentage of the carnies for at least 20 days of the year.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Happy Birthday, Sam - another year older and - oh well. Have a great day.
Ray from Milton.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Welcome back Sam, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day today on your special day!!!
Ahhh … the CNE … what memories!!! A lot of the previous comments reminded me of my fond memories too, so thank you all!! As a young child, just going on the Go-Train with my mom was an adventure in itself!!! Once there, the Mid-Way rides and games areas held a kid’s fascination for hours!!! Playing the fishy-fishy game, while hearing the “doggie, doggie” blasting in the background were very fond memories. My mom would always drag me throughout the entire food building (her fav, I’m sure). What wonderful aromas and treat possibilites at every turn!!!!
As a teenager, the concert line-up was always GREAT … what a blast those were!!! I was fortunate enough to be able to attend many!!!
As an adult, I have not attended the CNE for many, many years …. Perhaps this year, we’ll go back, and take a walk down memory lane!!
Thank you all for the great reminders of what a great annual tradition the CNE should be for families.
PS to Lee Ann: Your comments actually made me chuckle … OUT LOUD!!! I’ve got a visual of your mom’s “wig-misfortune”. Yikes!!! Hopefully your mom is a great sport, and can now laugh about it!!!
Cheers all!!! “Let’s go to the EX”
Pearl (from Mississauga)
August 12th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Welcome back Samantha! We missed you.
Happy Birthday !!!!
Good times at the CNE include: one year winning 5 stuffed animals playing the games, back in the day - getting lots of free samples in the food building (full sized samples of chocolate bars, candy, etc.), never missed a chance to buy Tiny Tom donuts, some favourite rides were the huge ferris wheel, the Monster ride, the cable cars and when I was finally brave enough, the Ghoster coaster.
Like Miranda, I remember the haunted house with the guy hiding in the shadows, just waiting to jump out at you and scare the crap out of you. He succeeded!
August 12th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Dear Sam,
First off I’d like to wish you a very happy birthday to a great lady!! Hope the coming year brings you everything you dream of and more!!
Secondly, I sent in comments above but forgot to tell you where I’m from, Brantford (but at the time of these concerts, Mississauga and Calgary). And the baseball players name who I told you I’d remember sitting in front of me at the John Cougar Mellencamp concert was Paul Molitor!!
Thanks Sam,
April from Brantford
August 13th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Welcome back, & happy belated !!
My favourite EX memmories include the Midway with the tunes blasting from the rides, & my favourite was the Flyer (RIP).
The concerts were always the capper to a great day, saw Pink Floyd there 6 times !!
Cheers!! Ryan from Scarborough
August 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Oops, I also forgot to tell you - I’m from Orangeville.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hey Sam, it’s just me again (Pearl, from Mississauga) with more memories of the CNE. For all us sports fans … Do you recall all of the Blue Jays and Argo games at Exhibition stadium (minus the ultra-cool retractable roof comfort)?? Remember the whole Dave Winfield hitting the seagull fiasco/incident??? Talk about memories!!!
Cheers!!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I was such a wimp as a kid and I didn’t want to go on any of the roller coasters or rides (unless it was the bumper cars) but I’d love going on that cable car ride that went above the Ex grounds from one side to the other - The Alpine Way. Why’d they take it down? I miss it!