No matter where you are coming from, it seems that all roads ( and sidewalks, for that matter ) lead to the
Ex ; for example : GO Trains, TTC streetcars and buses, taxis, boats, bicycles, skateboards and motorbikes.
When the Ex is on , people come ( came ) in droves by foot and on every form of transportation.
In its 2 week or so duration, to many, the Ex is the Centre of the Universe.
It is a nostalgic trip for those like myself. Even when some sites don' t exist anymore, we walk around recalling " how it used to be ". Pretty sad, eh ?
Pretty sad how so many things aren' t there anymore. I propose that the CNE bring back some of the old days.
( And please, Mr. Tory, please don' t agree to demolish the Cinesphere. I know it' s not exactly in the Ex, but it's very near to it. We have lost so many town halls, and other important buildings around the city to developers. For example, in Yorkville sits a parkette with a picture story map and legend where The Yorkville Town Hall used to be. Thank goodness the original facade of the original Mount Sinai Hospital was saved at 100 Yorkville where an historical plaque also stands. At least we are not standing there staring at a parkette where it used to be. Couldn' t they at least have built a mini version of it ? These and other lost buildings could be displayed in model form and created by students of architecture as an assignment. I would love to see the opera house that once existed on the south east corner of Bay and Adelaide, where Opera Lane scarcely peeks out at you as you walk by. Please don't blink or you might miss it. )
Torontonians love that jewel-by-the lake, that landmark filled ( pun unintended ) with so many memories of of lining up for movies seen on the huge screen. It is an architectural delight and should come with a blueprint for each child who visits it, so that a mini-geodesic dome could be built with his/her parents at home.
It' s very simple : dowels, plastic tubing, screws. Buckminster Fuller would be so proud and I' m sure many a tear would be shed by him watching it being torn down, triangle by triangle.
The mini-version could be be easily dismanteled, used as a tent, decorated, etc., and be part of the child' s daily routine, re: the responsibility of taking care of a home. I saw one version in a school yard recently at Dundas and Denison Avenues in Toronto. I'm sure the children enjoy it immensely, and at the same time they are so close to functional architecture.)
Pretty sad how so many sites and events aren' t there anymore. I propose that the CNE bring some of the old days back.
How about :
a miniature walk- through garden of buildings which are extinct ; it could be a competition for florists and landscapers of Toronto, or students of the former and latter ?
a Marilyn Bell Theatre where we can watch footage of her swimming the lake and a short swimming safety film can be shown after with safety rule pamphlets distributed on the way out ; ( as a kid we followed the swim on the radio with a corn syrup company as the sponsor and my mom made it so exciting for us as it went onto the finish....we were so proud of Marilyn ! ) It would be wonderful if we had a Marilyn Bell Day to honor her and maybe she could be invited to drop by ?
Elsie the Cow and her son Beauregard in their boudoir ?
a History Lesson Tent with volunteer teachers, professors, instructors, or just plain folks presenting archival slides of historical memorable moments at the Ex since 1879 ? asking Torontonians to send in photos of past visits to the Ex ?
Honeydew drinks?
a dress-up day.....creating a costume that someone would wear in certain decades at the Ex with prizes?
more $1 and $ 2 samples of food?
the water-ski show on the lake with the clowns and the champions skiing off the ramp ? ( Oh, how it made us laugh our heads off !!!! )
and the Bathtub and Pooch Races ?
Let' s put " exhibit " back in Exhibition.
Just brainstorming here. Please add any of your ideas.
Remember, eople together bring endless possibilities !
My mandala has about a third of the way to go. I have recently added a kewpie doll on a stick; a reminder of the Baby Contest that used to be; a carny at the ferris wheel and a hockey puck, stick and skate to represent the Hockey Hall of Fame ( now relocated to Front and Yonge Streets, Toronto ). A part of this building was saved as the entrance to the Blizzard soccer stadium across from the Food Building.
Going to the Hockey Hall of Fame at the Ex and seeing the Stanley Cup and famous players' photos and equipment was a super duper amazing experience for my family and I , as we lined up ( for I can' t remember how long ), to get inside !
But we forgot how long we waited , as we faithfully all looked up in awe at " The Cup " !