'If there's no CNE, the summer never ends': Canada reacts to CNE's historic cancellation
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to adapt to new norms, and the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is no exception.
For the second time in its 142-year history, the CNE has been cancelled, due to the pandemic.
The only other time the CNE was cancelled was during the Second World War, when the grounds were being used as a recruitment and military camp.
It’s not the only major event in Toronto that’s been cancelled by the pandemic, as the Pride Parade, Caribana (known officially as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival) live Canada Day events and other staples of the summer aren’t feasible at this juncture.
The CNE serves as the unofficial ending of summer to some and predictably, Twitter wasn’t thrilled about the event being cancelled, even if the rationale is quite obvious.
We're very sad to announce that the CNE will not light up this summer. The CNE Association announced today, with the support of the Province of Ontario & City of Toronto, that the 2020 CNE will not be moving forward. Read the full press release here: https://t.co/ER1KhU91nQ pic.twitter.com/s8k483EPln
— letsgototheex (@LetsGoToTheEX) May 12, 2020
Can't end the summer if you don't hold the CNE (and also if it just never warms up to summer temperatures).
— Daniel Reynolds (@aka_Reynolds) May 12, 2020
If the CNE is cancelled this year, can we at least set up a drive-thru for Tiny Tom donuts?
Asking for a friend. pic.twitter.com/t6U4AVRGga— LaineyJ (@iamcanuck) May 12, 2020
Miss rona really taking away every damn thing I was looking forward to this year. Carnival, summer vacations, CNE. I have nothing to look forward to now except the end of quarantine and we don’t even know when that’s gonna be pic.twitter.com/b9CzuUf3kC
— feteisha (@sherrydacosta) May 12, 2020
Through it’s long history, the CNE has survived wars, epidemics, flooding, the cronut virus - the CNE will survive this. @LetsGoToTheEX https://t.co/eWs54jejoK
— Mike Layton (@m_layton) May 12, 2020
The CNE is the harbinger of the end of summer.
If there’s no CNE, the summer never ends. pic.twitter.com/l4ALun6yGf— Siobhan Morris (@siomo) May 12, 2020
i can't lie I'm a little sad i won't get the opportunity to be upset with myself for how much money i blew at the CNE this summer smh that's one of my fav yearly let downs
— Moneybagg No (@WhoSFlyy__) May 12, 2020
Ribfest, Jerkfest, Caribana now the CNE? Yeah I’m off this https://t.co/pUvpMPCvz5
— ㅤS. 🥀 (@_stefaniealison) May 12, 2020
It is shaping up to be the most unusual summer in decades and the cancellation of an annual event that marks the passage of time for most Canadians just adds to the perpetual list of reminders that we are in unprecedented times.
How do you feel about quarantine life and cancellations? Tell us in the comments below and vote in the poll above.