Goodbye
Today is the last day of the 2009 CNE. My last chance to see anything I had missed, and to say goodbye to friends I had made.
I made sure I was at the gate when it opened. The sun was lighting up the merry-go-round beautifully, so I snapped a few shots while waiting for the Express.
I chatted with three generations of a family as we rode over to the Direct Energy Centre. They asked where they could find the floral display. After telling them I causally mentioned that there was a sale on all the display plant today. Boy, that got them excited! It seems that the mother in the family loves houseplants and wanted lots more. They were so happy they gave me a granola bar as a thank you.
I wandered around the midway for a while, and then went to find a seat at the Maple Lodge Farms Variety Stage. Somehow I had missed seeing these shows. Just too much to see I guess. First up was ventriloquist Michael Harrison. What a fun show. Harrison was able to imbue a tennis ball with a vibrant personality. It was a fun show. I was pleased to learn that he is a Canadian.
The next act up was the Grand Illusion and Escape Artist Show. I had heard a lot of people talk about this act, so I was anxious to see it. I was not disappointed. Despite having to battle the Blue Angels to be heard, this was a captivating show. I have no idea how they do the water torture act, it was amazing.
The hypnotist was up next, but I just couldn’t sit for another hour. I wandered over to the Direct Energy Centre. There I found a lot of the booths had their wares on sale, even 50% off. While my will power firmly in tact, I arrived at the At Home Celebrity Stage just in time for the Handyperson’s Show with Shawn Monteith. I am the least handy person on the planet, but I came away from the show feeling that I could now patch a hole in the wall like a pro.
I tried to see the shows on the Pizza Pizza International Stage, but I couldn’t get anywhere near the place. There were hundreds of people crowding the stage. I was happy for the performers, but disappointed not to see the shows.
Time to head out to Princes’ Boulevard. I hit the sidewalk just in time to catch Juno make his final descent from the tower of the Direct Energy Centre. He certainly milked it for all he was worth.
The sun was starting to set as I wandered through the Midway for the last time. I paused for a moment to soak in the noise and the smells for a moment. Crown and Anchor wheels clicking, barkers barking, the scent of lemon, popcorn and candy filled the air. I took a mental photo to carry me through the winter.
By the time I got to the Press Building the parade was on its way. The soldier accompanying Juno seemed to really appreciate that this was the last parade for 2009. He thanked everyone he saw. I caught another set of beads, and as I bent over to put them on my neck another string was thrown at me looping perfectly on my camera lens. With that last moment of CNE magic, it was time to head home.
Usually the last time I head out of the EX for the last time, I have a moment or two of sadness. Although I did have a twinge, I knew that I left the Ex this year having done everything I wanted to. It was one amazing year.