It’s time to go to the Ex!  Today is the unofficial beginning of the end of summer, as the 135th edition of the Canadian National Exhibition gets underway.  As usual, much of the focus of the CNE is on the unique food offerings.  One vendor describes his burger, as “pure beef with 100 percent Canadian cheddar mixed into the beef with pulled pork and bacon on fresh bread.” Then there’s the spice cream cone, which is “vanilla ice cream with bacon bits, chili flakes and wrapped around the centre is Nutella.”  Another vendor says he’s featuring, “a hybrid donut croissant inspired by the cronut layered with an all beef patty and cheese, then deep fry it and roll it in cinnamon and sugar, and top it off with homemade maple bacon jam.”  So it seems a day at the Ex, means going off your diet!

As for the weather, Environment Canada is calling for days and days of sunshine with temperatures in the mid to high 20s. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will be among the dignitaries in attendance for this morning’s official opening of the Ex at 10 o’clock.  As an incentive, adult visitors to the CNE will be charged $8 admission today, instead of the regular $16.