Next up on the Summer of Fun 2009 Tour was the CNE.  The Canadian National Exhibition has been around for 138 years, and is one of the largest fairs in North America.  On Friday, which was opening day, admission prices were slashed to $1.75 to celebrate Toronto’s 175th birthday.  As you can imagine, there was a ridiculous lineup but we were able to bypass 90% of it because we found a smaller line.  Sometimes the sun just shines in the right way.

I haven’t been to the CNE in a few years, and it seems that it is even larger now.  Wandering through the aisles of carny games, where you essentially pay $5.00 for a small stuffed animal, or trading up to a larger one…these have not changed much.  They are still the same games from years gone by, and each of them are designed so that you lose.  I wonder how much money the operators of these games make.  Given that it is all in cash, and that the employees are probably paid minimum wage, I would gather a great deal.  Some people think that they only show up to one fair, but they do not.  These trailers of games are in operation year round.  Good for them I suppose, but they did not sucker me in this year.  I do not have much use for stuffed animals nowadays.

I have always enjoyed the food and agricultural buildings, however.  The food building has something for everyone, from the crappy pizza to Indian food to Montreal smoked meat sandwiches.    I indulged in a large Montreal smoked meat sandwich.  It was greasy, large, and tasty.  It was $5.50, which wasn’t a bad price at all.  Wandering over to the agricultural building was also an interesting experience.  I am a city boy, and haven’t spent much time at all around the farm.  Seeing animals such as chickens, lambs, goats, horses, pigs, cows, turkeys, llamas and alpacas up close is interesting.  One cow in particular was very friendly with me and spent an inordinate amount of time licking my hand with her 8″ tongue.  Needless to say, I was grateful for the handwashing stations that had been setup.

There was also a building that was offering all sorts of craft goods for sale, as well as novelty items, clothing, cheap jewellery, and sports memorabilia.  It was similar to a flea market, but a bit more classy.  I didn’t see anything that tickled my fancy, but I got some early Christmas ideas from them.  I never have been much of a browser – I usually have a pretty good idea of what I am looking for prior to purchasing it.

All in all, a good time was had, and it certainly was not expensive.   As the Summer of Fun continues, I shall be sure to blog about it.