Fun with Firemen
Camera batteries charged, check.
SPF 55 sunscreen applied, check.
Comfy shoes on, check.
Time to hit the Dufferin Gate!
Time for the Opening Ceremonies. They were an interesting combination of speeches, performances and a parade. At five to ten, as if on cue, the sun broke through the clouds. The official CNE family lowered the plunger and the 2009 Exhibition was underway!
Next stop was The Farm. My favourite new section is dedicated to horses. HorseCapades is an interactive area that lets visitors practice braiding horse manes, ride “pony carts” and read a bunch of fun horse facts.
Lunch time, time to hit the Food Building. I was in the mood for deep fried perogies. I was glad to see all of the old favourites back this year. I also noticed a couple of new temptations. I have to check out the mashed potatoes served in ice cream cones [see Margot's Day Two post for more on this: http://blog.theex.com/?p=216].
I headed to the Direct Energy Centre to check out the display gardens. I was thrilled to also find a sand castle building competition. It was fascinating to see them working with homemade tools they devised for this unusual art form.
By then it was time for Movie Magic in the Ricoh Centre. It was an amazing show! Elvis Stojko and the entire cast sure didn’t disappoint. What a wonderful show. That was a show I would pay to see, and yet it was free with admission.
That left me in the mood for more winter sports so I checked out the Winter Olympic area. I tried the wheelchair curling, cross county skiing and actually got caught in a snow storm!
On the trek back to the Dufferin Gate to head home, I had one of those magic Ex moments that always show when you least expect it. As I walked by the fire station, there was a fireman spraying kids with water. The kids were loving it! Nothing high tech, just a hand pump, water, and lots of laughter.
At the CNE, you never know what is around the next corner.
Tomorrow: Warriors Parade, Rib Fest and Classic Cars. What a day that will be. Can’t wait.
