Would you believe I was born and raised in Toronto and have never been to The EX? Yes, I’d never been until this year.
The Food at the EX
On August 28, after a long day of errands, I headed to the CNE to drink mango passionfruit bubble tea. My friends bought poutine and corn on the cob. Pretty boring choices when the CNE is home to the most outlandish foods, like Ketchup and Mustard ice cream.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-40-686x1024.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-22-687x1024.jpg)
As we entered the food hall, we saw a lot of vendors inside and outside. Here are some of the most notable:
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-49-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-45-686x1024.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-44-1024x686.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-37-1024x687.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-29-1024x686.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-6-1024x687.jpg)
The Games at the EX
I also played two games, including Fool the Guesser (which I won – they misguessed my age) and lost $10 shooting hoops to get a plush toy. Maddening.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-39-1024x686.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-35-1024x687.jpg)
And there were so many plush toys.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-26-1024x687.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-14-686x1024.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-9-1024x687.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-12-1024x686.jpg)
The Atmosphere at the EX
But, overall, the vibes of the CNE are just that, full of vibes. It’s the kind of place you see a couple go to in a movie or slice-of-life drama. I’ve seen so many C-dramas and K-dramas with the main couple going to the fair.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-32-686x1024.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-16-1024x683.jpg)
The Rides
The rides definitely add to the local city fair vibe. There’s a ride that takes you around the whole CNE, but I think it’s best to arrive early in the morning since the lines are insane.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-18-686x1024.jpg)
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![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-27-1024x686.jpg)
People in Toronto love lining up for no reason, and I don’t want to contribute to the line-up culture, so I went on zero rides.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-31-1024x686.jpg)
I’m also scared of heights and rides with drops. But, I was intrigued by the Ferris Wheel and the Crazy Mouse ride.
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-34-1024x686.jpg)
![](https://becomingtia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/becomingtia-cne-2022-20-686x1024.jpg)
Overall, it was fun just to spend time and meet up with friends while contributing to a 14k step count by walking around the massive lot.
I’m looking forward to planning more events in the fall and winter seasons.
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