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Top 5 Things We Discovered at The EX (CNE Toronto) 2019

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Top 5 Things We Discovered at The EX (CNE Toronto) 2019

The EX – CNE Toronto 2019

It’s not just an experience – it’s a FEELING

Yes, it’s that special time of year again. As the summer comes to a close (sorry, we had to mention it) anticipation grows as Torontonians get ready for the Canadian National Exhibition (aka-CNE or The Ex). No matter what name you choose, there is often a nostalgic feel that comes along with it. Ask any Torontonian what the summer means to them. Besides the fact that it’s short-lived and humid, you will often hear a common phrase “summers are simply not complete without spending at least one day at the CNE”. And for good reasons.

It’s safe to say that most of us who were born and raised in the city, grew up with The Ex. I myself, remember my first experience very vividly, and it is deeply ingrained in my memory. I must have been no older than 10 years old, heading to the CNE with my mother, via the TTC subway. We rode in the front car, sitting right at the front seats (it’s the best view, of course). I was beyond excited, so the 30min train ride felt like an eternity! However, I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was what my mother told me beforehand, which was “the food is amazing, the rides are fun, and there are A LOT of games”. I quickly found out, she was telling the truth.

In addition to the fact that I had a wonderful and positive first experience, it was the start of a feeling. A very personal and intimate feeling of what the summer signified for me. Fast forward many (many!) years later, and I still find myself visiting the CNE almost every year. Did you know that the CNE hosts 1.5 million visitors, annually? And I am certain most of them (just like me) have stories to tell, with the same nostalgic feeling.

Views from the CNE – The Toronto Skyline

Tell me more

The Canadian Nation Exhibition is short-lived. Some people complain that it’s not long enough, but I feel it’s one of the things that gives it appeal. This year in 2019, the CNE runs from August 16th to September 2nd. Expect to pay $35 for parking, and $19.99 for general admission (14-65yrs). Costs include ground admission and shows (games, rides, food, ect is extra). If the cost of parking is hard to swallow, you can always take the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) for $3.25 adult fare (kids are 12yrs are free).

If you’ve never been to The Ex, you’re in for a real treat (no pun intended). The Ex is famously known for a few things. If your taste buds are feeling brave, you will find lots of “exotic”, weird, and downright crazy foods and snacks. If games and prizes are your thing (gigantic Panda stuffy, anyone?), the CNE will not disappoint with hundreds of games at your fingertips. Bringing the kids? They are sure to be entertained with plenty of rides. Have a shopping itch that needs to be scratched? That won’t be a problem with over 4000+ retail exhibitors. And we simply cannot forget to mention the MASSIVE number of vendors selling everything and anything you can think of (and can’t think of!). You are sure to feel the contagious happy vibe under the Torontonian skies.

This year, my husband and I ventured to the CNE for a fun-filled day of good weather, tasty (strange) eats, lots of laughs, and a massage chair (will explain later lol).

Now let’s get to the list …

TOP 5 THINGS WE DISCOVERED AT THE EX

1. Epic Multiculturalism

The CNE – “Canada’s largest community event and one of the top agricultural fairs in North America” – is located in Toronto, Ontario. With a population of 2.8 million, Toronto is considered to be one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. Enter through the tall gates, and you will automatically notice people from all different social and ethnic backgrounds. At The Ex, everyone is welcome and discrimination is non-existent.

The welcoming atmosphere is extremely apparent when visiting the International Pavillion. This marketplace is MASSIVE, coming in at around 110,000 square feet. If you really want to absorb everything this market has to offer, be prepared to walk (a lot). Featuring “treasures” from all around the world, you will see a vast assortment of clothing, food, jewellery, hand-made crafts, furniture, statues (just to name a few!). I was particularly biased towards the cool Egyptian booth. I mean, who could resist a small Pyramid figurine? Actually, my husband is Egyptian, and so I regard Egypt as my second home.

After all that walking, you might have worked up quite an appetite. Experience “tastes around the world” at the Toronto Star Food Building. Resembling a giant food court with at least 100 food stands, you can choose from a variety of international cuisines such as Indian, Lebanese, and Jamaican. The food building accommodates all food preferences, including vegan, halal, and gluten-free. Which then leads me to number 2 …

The Egyptian Booth at the International Pavillion

2. Endless Food Supply

CNE is undoubtedly known for its’ food, food, and more food. Did we mention food? The grounds are literally swarmed with food stands, food trucks, and food vendors, selling any type of food you can dream of. It can be pretty overwhelming, but also mesmerizing (and mouth-watering!). I wish I was exaggerating here. In fact, you won’t be able to walk 10 feet without coming across a delectable treat. Speaking of which, every year the CNE introduces a new list of “crazy” foods. Some of the foods on the wacky list includes cotton candy tacos, apple cheesecake poutine, frozen spaghetti, pickle pizza, and pickle lemonade. If you’re feeling adventurous and looking to stimulate your taste buds, you’ve found the right place to do it.

Everyone who visits the CNE on the regular, has at least one or two (or three+) food items that they MUST eat before the day ends – NO EXEPTIONS. This is serious stuff, people. With that said, you will come across people that fit into one of these 3 categories, without fail:

THE REGULARS (aka- boring eaters) – they will eat the same food every year, and only indulge in the foods they know and prefer. They are not up for trying new foods. They take the safe and comfortable route.

THE EXTREMISTS (aka- yolo eaters) – you know that “wacky” food list? It has their name on it. They make it a life mission to try every single weird food available to them. They will often be found in large groups (they need lots and lots of witnesses, pics, and vids).

THE BALANCERS (aka- cool eaters) – they will always eat their favourite treats, while introducing 1 or 2 new foods that they haven’t tried before. The new foods may or may not be on the crazy food list. They like to live on the edge, but only a little.

If you’re wondering what we ate, our menu consisted of: corn dogs, curly fries, Jamaican Jerk chicken and rice, waffle ice cream, Krispy Kreme donut burger, Tiny Toms donuts, chicken fingers on a stick, and pickle pizza. My husband and I shared and

sampled everything! It feels good to know I am partnered with another foodie. So, I have a food confession to make. Every visit to the CNE must include my absolute favourite waffle ice cream ( I WILL NOT leave the premises until I get it). Every other food is negotiable, however I do like to indulge in new foods that tickle my fancy. This year, it was the pickle pizza and donut burger.

The pickle pizza is actually delicious, believe it or not. The fusion of flavours worked extremely well, and the dough was INCREDIBLE. The donut burger, you ask? Meh, not a big fan. First off, we found the Krispy Crème donuts to be stale (you know stale buns ruin the entire burger). The burger patty was very tasty, however it was overshadowed by the sweet, sticky, stale donuts. I am all for sweet and salty mixes, but this one was an epic fail. Sorry.

One last word of caution: be prepared with comfortable clothing (you will regret tight waistbands) AND cash. Unfortunately, the majority of the food trucks, vendors, and stands, only take cash as a form of payment. Which the leads me to number #3 …

3. Cash is King

If you hate carrying cash these days, you better love it at the CNE. One unfortunate thing we encountered was the lack of interact machines in the Toronto Start Food Building, and most of the food stands/trucks. You will see signs that say ‘Cash only’. This includes all the games (unless you purchase ticket coupons). It would not have been such a big deal, except for the fact that we didn’t expect it and clearly unprepared. Luckily, you will find plenty of ATM machines around, so no worries. However, keep in mind the ATM fees have a charge of $4. Bringing cash with you before you enter the CNE grounds, and avoiding the ATM machines, would be the better (cheaper) option.

Speaking of money, unless you plan on just walking the grounds without spending a dime, the CNE can get quite costly (this does not including the entrance fee or parking). The truth is, the temptation to buy is high. There is just so much to see and do (and eat!) that it can be easy to get carried away. Be warned – the indoor and outdoor markets and shopping pavillions can be a dangerous trap for shopping. And it starts out quite innocently. You will go into one of the buildings with no expectation to buy – simply to just “look around”. And before you know it, you have decided a jacuzzi is a necessity in your life, and you must own one. We didn’t get a jacuzzi (maybe next time) but we DID end up buying a massage chair pad. I mean, can you really blame us? Those things are life-changing.

You probably won’t end up buying a massage chair, but the odds of spending money on food is pretty big. An average meal at the Toronto Star Food Building is $10 or more. Even a “cheaper” alternative like pizza or fries, can set you back $8. Treats and snacks from the outdoor food trucks or stands are also around $6-$10. A bottle of water or pop is $4. The point here is, it all adds up pretty fast if you’re like us and eager to sample all the goodies.

Money rules – cards drool

4. Good Shoes is a MUST

The EX is hosted at Exhibition Place – a 192 acre site, beautifully situated along Toronto’s waterfront. Here is a quick link to the CNE grounds map.

We arrived at the CNE at 12:15pm, and didn’t leave until 7:30pm. During these 7 1/2 hours, we did a whopping 22,000 steps! (the step counter watch does not lie). It was safe to say we walked the entire CNE grounds more than once. We even ventured to Ontario Place, just to get a breather from the congestion of people and noises.

The weather at this time of year in Toronto is very warm and sometimes extremely humid, so you will want to dress appropriately. The best attire will be light and comfortable, with REALLY GOOD walking or running shoes. If you plan on spending the day here, it is an absolute certainty that you WILL be walking A LOT. The last thing you want is a painful foot blister or rash, or even Plantar fasciitis. This will literally ruin your entire day, so be wise with your shoe choices!

By the end of the day, we were completely exhausted. Our lower body had gotten a nice little workout, but it was sore as heck! It’s been 3 days since then, and we’re still recovering. Bottom line: WEAR GOOD SHOES.

You will walk a lot ! Don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

5. Vendors and Online Businesses’ Galore!

The number of vendors or “Retail Exhibitors” this year was astonishing! The Ex featured 4000+ vendors, located in several indoor pavillions (buildings) and outdoor markets. Most of the vendors were “small businesses”, offering unique products or services. They seemed to project a very outgoing, friendly, and social vibe. However, some of them were a little “pushy”, and very eager to sell their merchandise. Nonetheless, we found it extremely enjoyable to walk amongst these lanes of small shops, browsing the plethora of goods. We would most definitely agree this was our favourite thing at the CNE.

Upon speaking with some of the vendors, we learned that more than half of them did not have a website for their business! This is an astonishing figure, considering online precense is EVERYTHING in this day and age. Let’s put it this way, if you’re not selling/promoting your business online in 2019 and beyond, you are really missing out. We then asked if they were interested in or would consider having a website for their business. Most of them expressing similar feelings, “I don’t want to be bothered” “it’s too hard to maintain or update” “we don’t understand it”.

When we started explaining to them how easy the process is. And how laid back they can be once the website is live, since the website company ( Kings Of The Web ) will be taking care of everything else. A lot of them got very excited, and actually some of them signed up for website package, and the rest promised to sign up once the ex is finished, and they are more free on their time.

That’s a wrap, folks! We look forward to CNE 2020, with new foods, new fun, and a new top 5 list.

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jessicakehoe · 6 years

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A 36-hour Speed Date With Bangkok

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I landed in Bangkok at noon and literally hit the ground running. My guide Nemo met me at the airport and that’s when my speed date with this sprawling, delightfully frenetic city kicked off. We dropped off my suitcase at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, which is located in the heart of the city’s shopping district, and then we walked to the nearby Sapan Charoenpol to catch a river taxi to the Golden Mount Temple.

Bell selfie at the top of the Golden Mount Temple in Bangkok.

Golden Mount Temple This temple is one of the oldest in the city and it’s one of the best spots to get a 360-view of the skyline as it’s build on a man-made hill. To reach the golden stupa, you have to climb 300+ steps that wind there way around the hill. Along the way you can ring bells for luck and listen to the monks chanting in the distance. Inside Nemo tries to teach me how to fold lotus flowers to leave at the base of Buddha. “In the old times, if a lady couldn’t fold them so they floated, that meant she couldn’t get married,” she tells me. I think I would have remained single for a very long time, given the state of my lotus offering.

Nemo at her fave street food spot, Tee’s Yen-Ta-Fo on Maha Chai Road.

Street Food Bangkok is famous for its street food, especially the stalls along Maha Chai Road. One of the most Insta-famous spots is Thip Samai Pad Thai. There’s a line up when we arrive but the restaurants on either side of it are doing half the business. “The other places are just as good, but they’re not on Instagram,” explains Nemo. “My favourite spot is Tee’s Yen-Ta-Fo. It’s where the locals eat and they have more than 10 kinds of noodles.” It’s a few doors down and when we get there Nemo orders practically everything on the menu. (See video below). After dinner, we walk by another street stall with a long line up. It’s Jay Fai and it’s famous because it is the first Thai street food stall to be awarded a Michelin star. (The owner reportedly wants to give it back, saying the star has been a curse.) It’s also Insta-bait for foodies who want to instill a little FOMO. Beside me there’s a group of people who have arrived wearing traditional Thai costumes. Nemo tells me they’re just coming from the place we’re headed to next.

Aun I Lak Festival in Bangkok.

Aun I Lak Festival Nemo flags down a tuk-tuk and we’re off to the Aun I Lak Festival. “Always negotiate your price first,” she says, as we climb in. “And when it’s moving keep your arms inside and hold onto your bags!” As we pull up to the gates of the Royal Plaza, all I can see are light-filled trees and groups of people wearing colourful ornate costumes. “You stand out now because you’re wearing black,” Nemo explains. “But not long ago you wouldn’t have because everyone was wearing black in mourning for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.” It’s a cultural festival—so there are traditional flower garland demos, food stalls and dance performances. And Nemo is right, I definitely stand out in my unfashionable black.

Streetfood for insect fans at Backpackers’ Alley.

Backpackers’ Alley Before returning to the hotel Nemo suggests we head to Khao San Road, or backpackers’ alley to check out the scene. It’s a mix of food stalls, bars, foot massage joints and street performers, including a pint-sized singer (see video below.) If eating scorpions or even a tarantula are on your #foodgoals list, this is the place to make that happen. That’s day 1.

Boat Temple in Bangkok.

Boat Temple Next morning Nemo arrives and we head to the Boat Temple, which is on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. (And, yes, it looks like a boat.) It was built in the early 1800s as a memorial to the Chinese vessels that had been used to bring money and goods to the area. After a tour, we walk to the river where a group has gathered to toss fish, turtles, eels and snakes into the water as offerings. “We believe it brings luck into your life,” says Nemo. “We do it on our birthdays. The animal you choose depends upon which day you were born.”

The banyan tree inside the entrance to Harmonique restaurant.

Banyan Trees + Bauble Shopping On our way to the nearby Mandarin Hotel to check out its high tea, we walk along Charoen Krung street so I can pop in and out of the jewellery wholesale shops. I found a ring there, which is very similar to one I spotted in a market in London and didn’t buy. (#shoppersregret). It’s from India and is made from diamond shavings that are normally disgarded. This time the ring didn’t get away. One of Nemo’s fave lunch spots in the area is Harmonique. It’s a quaint restaurant filled with antiques and it’s known for its homemade red curry and the giant golden banyan tree at its entrance. “We believe that banyan trees have angels to protect us,” explains Nemo.

“Scratching the Surface” art piece by Farto—or Vhils.

Street Art + The Grand Postal Office This imposing building was—as the name suggests—once a post office but today it’s the Thailand Creative and Design Center. Inside there’s a library, café and studio installations showcasing young Thai textile, jewellery and furniture designers. Outside we pick up some fried banana, taro and sweet potato from a vendor and head to King River to catch our longtail boat to the children’s puppet show. On the way Nemo stops outside the Portuguese embassy to show me the evocative art piece by Alexandra Farto. From a distance, it looks like a series of black-and-white portraits painted on the wall. It’s only when I get closer to it that I realize Farto—or Vhils as he’s known—has etched out the series of faces from the wall. It’s part of his “Scratching the Surface” series, which seems a fitting metaphor for how I’m feeling about my tour of this city.

Golden Buddha at the Wat Traimit temple.

Hun Lakorn Lek (Thai puppet show) + Golden Buddha After going through the river lock, we leave King River and enter the small canals of Chao Phraya. On route to the puppet theatre, we pass by wooden homes on stilts, Buddhist temples and the occasional 6-foot-long lizard sunning itself on a wooden dock. The show, which is done by children working with life-like puppets, is about a traditional Thai love story involving a mermaid and a prince. After a puppet kisses me (see video below) we zip back on the boat just in time to see the Golden Buddha at the Wat Traimit temple. The gold statue, which weights 5.5 tons, was hidden for years under stucco until the plaster chipped and the gold was revealed.

The Jam Factory: (Never ending summer… that’s the dream!)

Klongsan Plaza + Yum Fest + Jam Factory For a mix of tradition vs modern Bangkok, Nemo takes me to the Klongsan Plaza market. It’s where locals shop for food and clothes and there are few tourists. Nearby we stop at Yum Fest, a street food fair that looks like it’s been airdropped from Seattle. It’s a different scene to the stalls along Maha Chai Road. The food is international and adventuresome—from butter chicken, marble steak from Australia to spinach pumpkin ice cream. Nearby there’s the Jam Factory, which is an art gallery, café and bookshop that’s been created in an old industrial space alongside the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown.

More Markets… More Food! It’s getting late but Nemo wants me to see Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown. Before we hop in our van we walk through the Klongsan night market to pick up some steamed bread with pandan custard (See video below). Chinatown is a Klongsan market on steroids. The neon-lit streets are packed, it’s loud and frenetic. Add to this scene the smell of durian fruit. (It’s considered the worst smelling fruit in the world and it lives up to that reputation.) “Would you like to try some?” Nemo asks. “Perhaps later,” I suggest. (#nochance) Outside Lek-Rut Seafood there’s also a long line up. “It’s another Insta-restaurant,” Nemo says. “So is T & K Seasfood across the street.” The other online hit maker in the area is Yaowarat Bread, where they serve up white buns warmed up over charcoal and stuffed with condensed milk, peanut butter or pandan. Sweet Time is another dessert haven for Chinese sweets like black sesame balls, deep-fried bean curd and grass jelly.

Bangkok’s famous tuk-tuks.

Nightcap “Are you up for one more experience?” Nemo asks. She takes me to a cool little spot that you don’t want to miss. Click here to find out where we went.

Bonus: Designer Lauren Yates (aka @PonytailJournal) shares her ultimate guide to Bangkok.

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