Latest news with #CanadianNationalExhibition
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
2025 Woodstock Fair won't have midway
While a fair doesn't seem like a fair without a midway, the Woodstock Agricultural Society will carry on with the 2025 version of the event without the rides area residents are used to seeing. 'Unfortunately, it is true that we will no longer be able to provide the midway for the Woodstock Fair going forward. This has nothing to do with the Woodstock Ag Society or their members, but everything to do with rising costs and limited resources during that time in our schedule,' said a statement from Campbell Amusements. 'After the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit our industry particularly hard, the company restructured to one unit instead of two. This makes it very difficult to set up in multiple locations at once, which is something we had to do to provide the fair for Woodstock. The public feedback we received from our last few years, as well as decreased attendance and rising costs, led us to the decision to remove the stop from our route,' it added. 'We were really shocked,' said society president Casee Killing. 'We received an email, I think it was January 16, letting us know they are no longer able to participate in our fair this year. There had been no prior communication and the last time we had talked to them was at last year's fair, and they had no concerns at that point. They didn't even warn us this might be an issue.' Killing added she was told by the Brantford-based company that over the past few years it was hard for them to put on the type of show they wanted to. 'They overextended themselves as that week they are at the Barrie fair and send rides to the Canadian National Exhibition. So, we were getting their B-rides and they were renting some to bring us because they just didn't have enough. During COVID, they sold a lot of them, so they have fewer rides now.' Killing added Campbell Amusements also expressed concern about changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill labour shortages when no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available. 'They were worried about having enough workers to safely run the rides.' Campbell's statement to the Echo backs up Killing's claim. 'It is also unknown if we will be able to participate in the foreign worker program due to recent changes affecting our industry. This will severely limit our ability to safely provide for multiple locations.' Killing explained the organization reached out to several other midway companies, but they were all booked from August 21 to 24. She added she the search for a new provider was a learning experience. 'There really aren't many midways left. We thought it would be an easy process to find a new one but figured out quickly that wasn't the case. Danny from Campbell's actually tried to help us find another one but everyone was pretty much booked. They have long-standing contracts.' She explained they haven't stopped looking for a replacement for this year and 2026 but added the prospect of providing rides for the kids this year is bleak. Despite that, Killing said there are plenty of attractions to provide a good time for people of all ages. 'We are bringing back many of our regular events. The demolition derby and tractor pull are continuing and Old McDonald's Barn, where we connect the urban community to the rural community and get up close and personal with some farm animals.' The event will also feature a petting zoo, a family-friendly train ride, a variety of inflatables, car show and Soper Creek Animal Rescue, a wildlife rehabilitation hospital licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Canadian Wildlife Services. Its mission is to rescue, treat and release sick, injured, orphaned and abandoned native wildlife. The fair's theme for 2025 is 'A Family A'Fair', and Killing added they are still in search of volunteers and anyone interested will be able to sign up online at . A link will also be posted on the organization's Facebook page. 'We are kind of in a generation now where we don't like to make phone calls and like to sign up for appointments without having to talk to someone, so we are going to roll out where people can pick a day and time to volunteer. We want them to enjoy their volunteer experience and we think this will help. As usual, admission for all ages to the fair will be free. Campbell Amusements added it was a tough decision to pull out of the Woodstock Fair. 'The Woodstock Fair and the community have been a part of our company history for the last 50 years, and it was a very difficult decision to make. We thank the fair board and the community for their years of support. We have made sure to let the fair board know that we would be open to returning in the future if anything changes,' explained the company. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major airline slashes prices on flights from Ireland to Canada but jetsetters must act fast
ONE major airline has slashed its prices on flights to Canada from Ireland - but travel fans need to act quickly. Enjoy a trip to the world's second largest country with endless sightseeing opportunities for all the family. 5 Air Transat are offering deals on flights to various Canadian cities Credit: Alamy 5 Visit major cities like Toronto for less this year Credit: Getty 5 They are making things easier for families to enjoy a stress-free holiday Credit: AirTransat Air Transat is offering deals on flights to various They are making things easier than ever for families to enjoy a stress-free holiday to some of Canada's most exciting cities. Travelling with the family can be a challenge, so Air Transat aims to ensure a smooth, comfortable experience from check-in to touchdown. As they offer a wide array of services, including: READ MORE ON TRAVEL Pre-boarding: for families travelling with young children. Seat selection: Adjacent standard seats are assigned for free to children aged between 2 and 13 inclusive and their parents/guardians featured on the same family booking. Seats will be grouped together and assigned by the system 14 days prior to departure. On-board entertainment: a wide variety of entertainment options are on offer for all ages, from games to classic movies, new releases to hit TV series. With fares from €430 per person return, travel from Dublin to Toronto, with seamless connections to Montreal and beyond. Families can also benefit from flexible fares and convenient flight schedules from As well as other UK options, such as Glasgow, Manchester and London Gatwick. Most read in News Travel With a friendly, attentive cabin crew ready to lend a hand for all your travel needs. The airline has also provided its top tips on where to visit in the second largest country in the world this summer. 'It was a bucket-list trip, I was lost for words,' incredible food, sights and history on Canadian break Flight attendants Manny Serpa and Erin McLoughlin-Serpa, who met upon joining the airline in 1999, now live in Experience Canada in miniature form at Little Canada, or visit Centre Island, a short ferry ride from downtown, with its amusement park and beautiful beaches. This summer, Toronto hosts the TD Salsa on St Clair Festival, where music, dancing, and vibrant parades create a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Meanwhile, the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) returns in August, combining classic fairground fun with educational activities and thrilling rides. Montreal is alive with energy in the summer months, offering a variety of family-friendly experiences. Children will love exploring the interactive exhibits at the Montreal Science Centre. And in the evenings, from June to August, the International Fireworks Festival lights up the skies offering awe-inspiring spectacles the whole family will remember. Thanks to its partnership with Porter Airlines, travellers can connect seamlessly through Toronto to destinations across Canada including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Victoria. For information on these amazing flight savers, visit 5 Explore Toronto, Ontario, Canada this summer with bargain fares Credit: GETTY 5 See the bright lights from the International firework festival in Montreal Credit: GETTY
Toronto Star
01-06-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
Gardiner, Don Valley Parkway to be shut down on Sunday for a bike ride. What you need to know
If you are planning on being in Toronto today, you may want to plan alternative routes as the downtown core, Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway will see disruptions. The DVP from the Gardiner Expressway to York Mills Road and the Gardiner from the South Kingsway to the DVP will be closed for the Bike for Brain Health. Participants will take over Toronto's highways from 2 a.m. until 4 p.m., riding traffic free, while raising awareness and donations for Alzheimer's research. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gta 'An opportunity to say thank you': UHN's first large-scale fundraising walk celebrates health care and innovation We Walk UHNited's Saturday event advocates for Canadian health care and celebrated the patients helped by the hospital network. Gta 'An opportunity to say thank you': UHN's first large-scale fundraising walk celebrates health care and innovation We Walk UHNited's Saturday event advocates for Canadian health care and celebrated the patients helped by the hospital network. Roads surrounding the Exhibition Place such as Saskatchewan Road, British Columbia Road, Princes Boulevard, Quebec Street, PEI Crescent and Dufferin Street between Springhurst Avenue and Saskatchewan Road will also be closed. While public transportation is recommended, the event has disrupted the 329 Dufferin night buses Sunday morning. The route will not enter the Canadian National Exhibition grounds and will stop at the Dufferin Gate Loop. The TTC warned riders that the event may also cause delays to the 91 Woodbine and 95 York Mills routes until 4 p.m. Adding to the weekend's disruptions, the first-ever We Walk UHNited fundraiser took place on Saturday, with 2K and 5K walks in support of the UHN Foundation leading to multiple downtown street closures through the morning and early afternoon. With files from Kristjan Lautens
CBC
27-04-2025
- CBC
'You unite together': Khalsa Day parade brings thousands to downtown Toronto
Showers of yellow flags flooded Toronto's streets Sunday as thousands from the Sikh community attended the Khalsa Day parade. Khalsa Day, also known as Vaisakhi, marks the Sikh New Year along with the establishment of the Sikh community all the way back in 1699, according to the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC). The annual parade along Lake Shore Boulevard has become one of the biggest events in the city since it began in 1986, according to the OSGC. People flocked the streets waving the Sikh flag, with a marching band playing tunes accompanying large vehicles adorned with colourful decorations. "We have a very rich and very brave history," said Manjit Parmar, an event co-ordinator for the OSGC. "Inclusiveness is a big part of Sikhism and that's what we are here to celebrate along with everybody else in Toronto," he said. Tajinder Singh, who made his way from Brampton for the parade, says this day always feels special because of how it brings people together. "When you leave your country and when you're in Canada, this is very important. You unite together," he said. The parade started from the Canadian National Exhibition at 1 p.m. as the large group made its way east to city hall, where dignitaries addressed the crowd. Those who didn't attend the parade might have had a hard time navigating around the city as there were several street closures across the downtown core. Portions of Lake Shore Boulevard West, York Street, University Avenue and Queen Street West were closed until the late afternoon, with Queen Street West remaining closed between Bay and York Streets until 9 p.m., according to police. The parade comes just a day after an SUV slammed into a crowd at the Filipino Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people and injuring multiple others. In a post to X, Toronto police said "our priority is to maintain a safe environment for everyone. Officers will be present to provide security, manage traffic, and support this important cultural celebration." Parmar said they were in constant touch with police throughout the day and were told there were no threats. As of Sunday afternoon, police reported no incidents.
