Conklin Shows owned and operated the ever infamous “Bavarian Beer Gardens” at the east end of the Alpine Way at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. This German-style beer gardens was a popular meeting place, and a great place to get a good meal and have a beer. The establishment was pretty popular and particularly busy after the Warriors Day parade.
During the 1987 edition of the CNE we made a valiant attempt to serve smoked beef sandwiches at the tavern. The process required a smoker, which kept going 24/7 to slow cook the beef. Early during the CNE, a representative from the fire department paid us a visit and said that we needed a “permit” to use the cooker outdoors. Being belligerent, as we often were, we ignored the order and kept on smoking beef in the smoker and serving sandwiches to the beer drinkers inside.
The issue became quite heated (pun intended) as the CNE progressed and landed on Bill Stockwell’s desk, who was the CNE General Manager at the time. Finally Bill called Alfie Phillips, the president of Conklin Shows, and said that he no longer could defend our cause with the fire department and asked that we surrender and shut down the cooker — we reluctantly agreed and closed down the cooker.
Later that evening the Music Building at the opposite end of the grounds caught fire and the massive blaze destroyed the entire structure. Alfie Phillips, Bill Stockwell and yours truly stood on Manitoba Drive in front of the CNE police station and watch the Music Building go up in flames. Of course I had to turn to Stockwell and ask if he had a “permit” to burn this building — I got a little smile.
any pictures of the bavarian hall??
geez i really miss the Big Bingo hall and the Alpine way.
BTW was there ever a Wurlitzer Band organ incorportated into the outside of the Bavarian Hall??