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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1980, PAGE 5 C.N.E.; part of Canadian heritage By EUGENE HENRY Free Press Staff This ls written for Free Press readers who have been C.N.E. fans all their lives, and for those in the6 Whitby area who have yet to make their first trip to the annual exhibition on the lake front in Toronto. It is an experience that should not be missed by young or old, because it is far more than hot dogs, the midway and pretty girls in their summer clothes. it ls in fact, a close up view of Canadian life, a summary of social culture and economic development that are relevant to not only Whitby residents but their neighbours from coast to coast as well. Visitors this year, will be attending the 102 exhibition. It had a humble beginning that was, but a microeosm of the present mamoth show. It was more of an agricultural fair than it is today. We must remember however, that the economic life of this country was based in agriculture in those early Ontario times with a high per- centage of our population living and working on Canadian farms. Getting to the "Ex" at the turn of the cen- tury was not easy. The roads were poor and travel away from home in the wagon or carrnage was an adven- ture of sorts. It was the relatively new railways that made an annual expedition to the Toronto Exhibitions possible. The big event was widely promoted with notices in all the post offices and posters ont he walls of every railway station. Management has developed a good mis of the most attractive ingredients. It has been a success over the years. The big show catered to its farm audiences. It still does. It was the exhibitions and prize awards for "the best" that drew and held the crowds. The best cat- tie, horses, swine, sheep and grain. The winners not only went home with ribbons to prove their achievements but they went back to their far- ms with more valuable livestock. The CNE captured the women early by of- fering prizes for the best home produce, Jams, jellies, cake, bread, biscuits, and cheese. n the beginning, th re were exhibits of pi iughs, *seed drills, amnd hand tools. Later, the best of carriages, wagons, and sleighs were displayed. Finally the new canadian car makers put the newest in automobiles on exhibition and they have been a feature of the "ex" ever since. The midway was there all along and -it was not just for the children but for fun- hungry adults as well. Toronto hotels near the lake, were packed to the rafters with far- mers and their familles. In early Ontario times it was the event of the year and It was the CNE that became the prototype for smaller town fairs throughout the province and ac- cross Canada. Times have changed and there are ail kinds of competing events from pro sports to holiday travel elsewhere In Canada and in the U.S. as better roads made it possible to travel anywhere at anytime. It Is not possible at all, to get the full Im- pact of the C.N.E. via T.V. or any one of the other media that covers the big show each year. It is something to see and live. It is a visual and emotional ex- perience. something for the There grand nose. is too The smells of the "ex" are magnificent and indeed memorable. It will be all over on Labor Day. Go before it is too late. Price of admission to Mosport (with coupon) August 6 & 7 for President 's Trophey Races. Tickets available at M.B.M. Publishing, 131 Brock St. north. Whitby. Don'ttouchanolt untilyouread The thing toi you're wo electricit always Ik commoi you and3 Com means al the toaster appliance befor It means removing the third prong fro your three-pronged plugs. It's there to ground the appliance and protect you from shocks. There are many other ways to practise electrical safety. And they all have one very important thing in common. Common sense. ihinkabout it,pleas ontario hydro therthingv this ad. e most important remember when rking with y is simply this: eep a little i sense between your electricity. mon sense ways unplugging or any electrical e you fix it. never e.