One of my favourite things to do in Toronto at the end of the summer, is the famous ‘Canadian National Exhibition’ aka the ‘CNE‘. I just love the history of this giant fair that has been going on since 1897, and the Art Deco & Mid Century Modern buildings on site are not to be missed. I even had my engagement photos taken there. It’s just great!

So for today’s post we are going to take a look at vintage images and ads featuring exhibits / displays that you would of been seen at the CNE between 1920s and 1960s.

Let’s take a look!

Note: All images are from the CNE Heritage website.

Vintage Photos of Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

Vegetable Exhibit, 1928. WOW what a collection of veggies!

1920s vintage photo of the Vegetable Exhibit, 1928 at the Toronto CNE.

“See Toronto Hydro Electric System’s Display in the Electrical Building”. 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme.

1920s vintage ad: 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad In CNE Programme

CNE Automotive Show, 1929. What car would you buy?

1920s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Automotive Show,1929. Lots of 1920s vehicles.

Poscard for the Nash Car Exhibit at the 1939 CNE.

1930s vintage Postcard for the Nash Car Exhibit @ The 1939 CNE.

The Goblin Electric Display at The Toronto CNE, 1937 featuring a woman dressed as a goblin.

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen exhibit as seen in the 1935 CNE programme.

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen as seen in Toronto at the CNE in 1935

TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) Exhibit at the CNE Automotive Building, 1936.

Christie’s Biscuits Display at the 1936 CNE.

1930s vintage photo of the Christie's Biscuits Display @ The 1936 Toronto CNE

RCA Victor Display; ca. 1940.

“See how Electricity gives CANADA’S ANSWER!” Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme, 1941 featuring all the ways electricity is helping Canadian Women on the homefront.

1940s vintage ad for Toronto Hydro Ad In the CNE Programme, 1941 featuring an illustration of how electricity helps women on the homefront.

A 1940 cooking demonstration (which could qualify as an exhibit).

1940s vintage photo of a cooking demonstration in 1940 at the Toronto CNE

Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit as seen in the CNE programme, 1947.

1940s vintage advertising: Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit in the CNE (Canadian national Exhibition) Programme, 1947.

Televisions on display at the 1953 CNE.

Televisions On Display At The 1950 CNE featuring men in 1950s fashions and a woman in a 1950s dress and purse.

1950s vintage photo of the Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954.

1950s vintage photo A Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954 at the Toronto CNE

1955 photo of the Army Exhibit – Navy personnel posed with very stylish women in 1950s fashions.

1959 Australia Exhibit featuring a woman holding a dog with a bagpiper.

1950s vintage photo of the 1959 Australia exhibit featuring an image of a woman in a 1950s dress holding a dog with a bagpiper

1959 – The Austria Exhibit featuring a collection of downhill skiis.

1950s vintage photo of the Austria exhibit showcasing downhill skiis at the Toronto CNE in 1959

One more from Austria in 1960. A dirndl is a must at this exhibit (I own 3!).

1960s vintage photo of a woman in a Dirndl at the Austria Exhibit at the Toronto CNE in 1960. She is surrounded by others in early 1960s fashions.

The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go and the fantastic purses you can buy (I love the purse our young woman is holding!).

1960s vintage photo of the The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go with the airline. The image features a TCA flight attendant and two young Black girls in pretty 1960s dresses and a fantastic 1960s straw purse.

“The New Lady Schick Consolette” (I own a very similar one!). 1960s Lady Schick hair dryer demo booth.

1960s vintage photo of a lady schick hair dryer demo at the Toronto CNE image features two women in 1960s fashions

“An invitation….Take home new ideas for a lovelier home from the Arborite Company Limited display-Booth B.6. in the “Better Living” Building.”

Arborite Ad in the CNE programme, 1962.

Last photo…100 Jobs For Women Display in the 1960s.

1960s vintage photo of women in 1960s fashions at the 100 Jobs For Women Display @ The CNE ca. 1960s

Question time: Do you have a big exhibition / fair in your town? Do you like to attend? What are you favourite things to see / do & eat? Share any thoughts in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING:

Vintage Advertising for the CNE – Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition is Here! The Vintage Edition (vintage images)
Step Back in Time with The Canadian National Exhibition (vintage images & advertising)
‘Let’s Dance’: The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Dance Tent
Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

I have written about the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) a couple times on my blog, because it truly is one of my most favorite summer events. The CNE is an annual event at the end of summer held in Toronto and with approximately 1.3 million visitors each year, the exhibition is Canada’s largest annual fair and the seventh largest in North America.

CNE Souvenir Catalogue & Programme Cover, 1955

Source: CNE Heritage

Online, the CNE Heritage has an amazing collection of images & advertisements from its archives and for today’s post I wanted to pull some of my favorites from their collection (1920’s-50’s) and share them with you. Lets begin!

CNE-Vintage Images & Advertisements

Simpson’s Ad In CNE Programme, 1928. The illustration features an amazing Art Deco style 1920s evening gown.

CNE Programme Cover, 1931

Suede Shoe Ad in a 1935 CNE Fashion Show Programme. In my personal collection, I have this exact show program.

1930s vintage ad: Suede Shoe Ad in a 1935 CNE Fashion Show Programme. The Ad features a woman in 1930s dress and coat & hat and an illustration of 1930s shoes. — Source: CNE Heritage

CNE Bandshell & Manufacturers Building, 1948.

CNE Guests in 1927. Super 1920s fashions in this crowd photo.

This poster celebrates the opening of the new Ontario Government Building (now Liberty Grand) in 1926.

Hollywood Chimp Show, 1937.

1939 CNE Poster-Transportation and Communications Year.

Auto Show, 1936. Fantastic 1930s cars on display!

RCA Victor Display, 1940.

Further Reading: Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

1940s vintage photo of a RCA Victor Display at the Toronto CNE. — Source: CNE Heritage

1940s photo of 3 young women and 1 man posing in a car for the “Safety Quiz’ of 1948. I think the first part of the quiz should be, “You should always keep your eyes on the road, Yes or No?” Fantastic 1940s hairstyles on our lovely ladies.

1940s photo of 3 young women and 1 man posing in a car for the "Safety Quiz' of 1948. Fantastic 1940s hairstyles on our lovely ladies. — Source: CNE Heritage

Canadian Women at War! 1942 CNE Poster.

1940s Canadian Women at War CNE Program from 1942 showcasing all the ways that Canadian Women are helping the war effort. — Source: CNE Heritage

1940s College Student Fashions of the Day on display in this 1940 photo. I love a good plaid pattern!

Miss Toronto Contest, 1951. Read all about Miss Toronto HERE.

1950s vintage image of women in 1950s bathing suits posing for the Miss Toronto Pageant. — Source: CNE Heritage

Swimming Sensation, Marilyn Bell in 1954 with Roy Rogers & Dale Evans.

From CNE Heritage:

In 1954, a 16-year old high school student named Marilyn Bell became a sensation when she became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario.

She became an instant celebrity, beloved by fans across Canada.

It all began on September 8th, when three swimmers began a 32 kilometre race from Youngstown, New York to the CNE grounds.

American marathon swimmer Florence Chadwick was the favourite, followed by Canadian swimmer Winnie Roach Leuszler; Marilyn was the underdog.

It became clear early in the race that she was a contender, remaining in the water after her competitors dropped out.

Newspapers covered her every stroke through the cold waves of Lake Ontario. After 21 hours, Marilyn made it ashore to the acclaim of the nation.

The following year, Marilyn was the star of the CNE’s “Canadiana” Grandstand show, sharing the stage with American television host Ed Sullivan.

The highlight of the show was Marilyn diving into a specially designed tank of water on stage.

1950s vintage photo of Marilyn Bell with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the Toronto CNE — Source: CNE Heritage

Pez Anyone? 1954 vintage photo of the Pez booth at the CNE.

Defying Gravity in the Rotor! 1953 vintage photo of a carnival ride at the CNE.

Jimmy Durante and young women in 1951 pose together in 1950s swimsuits and summer outfits.

Derby Race, 1950. A fun vintage image of a carnival horse ride at the CNE.

CNE vintage derby race ride 1950 vintage image — Source: CNE Heritage

Even TV’s Lassie made an appearance in 1955.

1950s vintage photo of TV's Lassie With CNE Visitors, 1955. — Source: CNE Heritage

Kitchen World CNE Booth with Marie Fraser in 1955.

Kitchen World With Marie Fraser, 1955 vintage image at CNE — Source: CNE Heritage

And that is it for today’s post friends, I really hope you enjoyed this walk down some of the CNE’s past.

Question Time: Do you have a big fair or exhibition that you like to attend every year? Share in the comments below!

FURTHER READING: A collection of past CNE posts I have done & a link to my Vintage Toronto Archive….

Vintage Toronto Blog Posts Archive
Vintage Advertising for the CNE – Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition is Here! The Vintage Edition (vintage images)
Step Back in Time with The Canadian National Exhibition (vintage images & advertising)
‘Let’s Dance’: The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Dance Tent
Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

Liz

Tag: CNE

Vintage Photos of Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

CNE-Vintage Images & Advertisements