THUNDER BAY — The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) is returning for its 135th year next Wednesday.
Running from Aug. 6 to 10, the fair’s schedule is filled with an array of family-friendly games, home and craft vendors, food trucks, over 50 midway rides brought in by Select Shows and Canuck Amusements, a historical display, baby show and a new stage line-up including cast members from Peppa Pig and Bluey.
It will also feature demonstrations and cooking shows with local chefs, as well as a petting zoo in the Heritage Building.
“Again, we’re happy to have it. It’s been a tough go every year and it’s just getting tougher and tougher, but we’ve got a team that’s behind us and able to put this through,” said Basil Lychowyd, the CLE fair’s chair and vice-president of agriculture.
Lychowyd explained that the fair will have a different kind of entertainment for all this year.
“We have four tribute bands and they are very good here. And we’re having The Northern Pikes here, which is an artist group here. So people will be amazed (at) what we have," Lychowyd said.
On the last day at 11 p.m., for instance, he said the fair is going to put on a big fireworks display for Thunder Bay.
They also have on Thursday a special needs day for people who require some assistance, Lychowyd added.
"I think it's over 1000 agencies we called. We give them tickets (and) rides there, so it's important to us," Lychowyd said.
"We give back to the community. It's about $50,000 if you put some money to it and everything else there, so we're happy to do that."
The CLE will continue to provide this assistance throughout the festival.
In addition to these events, the fair will collaborate with Murillo and the Hymers Fall Fair by sharing volunteers, manpower, equipment and prize books.
New online ticketing is also being put into place.
“We’re changing things up, we’re trying to be proactive with our spending and all that kind of stuff there,” Lychowyd said.
There are also other new changes, Lychowyd explained, but they’re behind the scenes.
“It’s not how it was, even 20 years ago, we had to tighten up our group, what we’re doing and triple duties, so it’s still going and it’s tough and it’s getting hard,” said Lychowyd, adding how people and volunteers have helped keep the fair going.
In particular, the fair has begun to look at how the situation south of the border and the uncertainties it poses may have an impact on Thunder Bay.
“We do about $8 million for Thunder Bay here in terms of people and hotels and all that stuff here,” said Lychowyd.
“So, yeah, I hope it stays the same. I don’t know, there’s a lot of events that have happened or that didn’t happen… and hopefully we’ll survive this.”
Regardless, Lychowyd said they’re trying to reduce costs and make it affordable for people who attend the fair.
“We haven’t changed our price of tickets over the last three or four, maybe more years here, but that’s where we want to be in the market here in Thunder Bay... and not look at price increase or this and that,” Lychowyd said.
He hopes the weather’s nice and visitors come and see their entertainment.
“I hope people can come out and enjoy every day and all the different foods that we have,” Lychowyd said.
As of Monday, the area surrounding the CLE grounds will be closed for parking and after Wednesday, visitors will have to pay the combined CLE and movie admission at the gates — a cost of $20 — to access SilverCity.
Those interested in attending the fair can find more information online.
