'Banner season' for CNE despite rain deluge: Organizers
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Organizers of the Canadian National Exhibition are calling it a “banner season” down at The Ex despite some weather obstacles along the way.
Heading into Labour Day weekend — the final long weekend of the summer that signals the end of the CNE and the return to school — CNE organizers are anticipating more than 300,000 visitors over the weekend to cap off the 2024 edition of Canada’s largest fair.
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Early estimates were tracking CNE attendance to be hovering at 1.1 million after Friday, CNE organizers said in a news release, helped by busy crowds expected for the 75th edition of the Canadian International Air Show.
Sunny conditions and a minimal chance of rain are forecast for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which should only help increase attendance.
It hasn’t been all sunshine and roses for the festival, one of several in the Greater Toronto Area that was affected by the rainiest August on record. More than a month’s worth of rain fell between Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, the CNE said, citing Environment Canada. That ultimately deterred the usual crowds on the CNE’s opening weekend, but attendance has been on an upward trajectory since.
Organizers said in some cases daily attendance was doubled from previous years.
“While it may not be another record-breaking milestone, we still consider this a banner season with strong attendance that is expected to be on the higher end of pre-pandemic years,” the CNE’s CEO Darrell Brown said in a news release. “The downpour of rain and weather warnings certainly contributed to a slow start, however, daily attendance has been steadily building, and we are confident that the Labour Day long weekend will be very busy (rain or shine) as families try to make the most of the final days of summer.”
Organizers said they were optimistic that attendance for the 145th annual CNE would land above 1.4 million for its 18-day run.
The event’s attendance peaked in 2023 with 1.6 visitors, the most dating back a quarter century, organizers said. Pre-pandemic attendance averaged 1.42 million between 2010 and 2019.
Attendance figures are gathered through the CNE’s online and gate ticket sales as well as through retail, promotional and community partners. The final tally will be available in late September.
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The weekend-long air show features the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor.
Additional events include The EX Games, concerts at the CNE Bandshell, aerial acrobatic and ice skating show starring Elvis Stojko, food trucks and craft beer fest, RibFest at Bandshell Park, Gaming Garage, Classic Championship Wrestling and back-to-school shopping deals.
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