Fair face-off: Vancouver's PNE vs Toronto's CNE

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      As a born-and-bred Vancouverite, I learned at an early age that Vancouver is vastly superior to Toronto (aka the Centre of the Universe). Nobody ever gave me specific reasons for this, but we all knew it to be true.

      I've visited Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition since childhood, but I've always wondered about the CNE. After all, it's the Canadian National Exhibition. Therefore it must be bigger, and—dare I even think such a thing—better?

      I happened to be in Toronto last year during the CNE, and jumped at the opportunity to visit its fair. I went with a couple of kids in tow, so I admit I didn't get a very broad overview: the under-10 set led the way… which meant we didn't get very far past the kiddie rides.

      But I did get a taste of the CNE, and I must admit: it was pretty cool. 

      Some highlights? The overhead Sky Ride, a kind of flat gondola that stretches across the fairgrounds, giving a bird's-eye view of the action. And hey, a view of the CN Tower doesn't hurt for us tourists....

      The CN Tower provides an iconic backdrop to the CNE.
      Carolyn Ali

      As a cat-lover, I also enjoyed the Cat Show, which brought over 100 very fancy cats to the fair (with their owners) for some serious competition. I've never seen cats as beautiful as these, and many of the owners were happy to show them off to the public as they waited their turn to be judged. This totally beat the PNE's Superdogs. (This year's Cat Show takes place August 24 and 25 at the CNE.)

      The cat show at the CNE brings out some lovely animals.
      Carolyn Ali

      Then there's the food. The CNE has a whole building housing everything from Bacon Nation to waffle and doughnut sandwiches. A whole building, I say!  The PNE used to have a food building, many years ago…

      How can you not appreciate a fair that has a whole building devoted to food?
      Carolyn Ali

      But hey, while the CNE does have mini doughnuts, as far as I know they do not have Those Little Donuts, which are a Western Canadian thing. As far as I'm concerned, these are the only doughnuts worth eating at a fair: just watching them being made at the PNE fills me with joy.

      And the CNE does not have a prize home to explore, which is always a highlight for me at the PNE.  It's always fun to dream of winning it. (Over the years, however, the final location of the prize home has gradually moved further away from Vancouver—it's at Sun Peaks north of Kamloops this year—proving that Vancouverites can't even dream of owning a home in Vancouver anymore).

      Also on my must-do list at the PNE: the inimitable Dal Richards Orchestra, an outdoor Summer Nights concert, and sampling at the annual Vancouver Rib Festival.

      And of course, I will sit down at the Dr. Ho booth when I'm tired and then end up semi-seriously considering buying one of his contraptions.

      The Fair at the PNE runs from tomorrow (August 17) to September 2 this year. (Note that it's closed on August 19 and 26.) 

      The CNE starts today (August 16) and runs to September 2.

      If you have the chance, give both fairs a try. But depending on where you come from, you already know which one is better. Or do you?

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Doug Sarti

      Aug 16, 2013 at 10:35am

      The PNE used to have a chairlift/sky ride just like that - its started by the Showmart building and ended up somewhere near the main midway. If I can remember correctly, it was around until the early-to-mid-'80s.

      Martin Dunphy

      Aug 16, 2013 at 11:52am

      That's right Doug. And no matter what excuse was given by the PNE when the chairlift was demolished, the only real reason was that all the crap-food, cheap-sunglasses, and T-shirt vendors below were screaming about being bypassed by the neverending stream of grateful, tired PNE visitors enjoying the ride and the view.

      Joani B

      Aug 16, 2013 at 2:09pm

      oh, yes! the chair-glide-ride as we called it in my family ... anyone remember the rotating viewing tower? was somewhere near the cafeteria, by the roller coaster entrance .. ? and thank you for the article, have always wondered the same thing myself, cne vs pne.

      Gumby

      Aug 17, 2013 at 10:05am

      what about the different food vendors between the two?

      Martin Dunphy

      Aug 17, 2013 at 1:58pm

      Gumby:

      They're all the same: a giant open Dumpster. Dive in with your credit card!

      Peter Mykusz

      Aug 26, 2013 at 8:40pm

      There are too many things to see and do in one day. Here is a taste of the EX:
      https://vimeo.com/73181193