THUNDER BAY – The gates were barely open on Wednesday when the crowds started pouring in the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds, eager for their annual trip to the fair, Thunder Bay’s largest event of the summer.
Up to 60,000 people are expected to flock to the CLE fair, many of whom circled it on their 2025 calendar the second the 2024 event concluded.
Whether it’s for the rides, the entertainment, the food, the games of chance or a chance to meet Bluey or Peppa Pig, everyone’s got a reason to go.
Many have several.
“It’s a lot of fun and you get to hang out with your friends,” said Nova Smith, there with a group of three young companions on opening day.
Mia Wright, on the other hand, was all about the excitement of the midway.
“I like the rides that go twisting,” she said. “I like feeling dizzy spinning.”
Elianna Collins also likes the rides.
She starts small, the builds up to the more thrilling ones.
“I really like the rides. They give me that confidence to go on more serious rides,” she said.
Cassidy Wright said it’s a unique experience in Thunder Bay.
“There’s no other amusement park in Thunder Bay, so this one is special when it comes,” Cassidy said.
For fair organizers, Wednesday marked the culmination of a year’s worth of work, preparing and setting out a program that will appeal to kids of all ages.
Basil Lychowyd, the fair chair, said inviting the public in is what all the effort is about.
“It’s what people have been wanting to do all summer, come to the fair. That’s what we do and we’re excited to do it. We still get butterflies. It’s a great day,” Lychowyd said.
The fair is open daily now through Sunday from noon to 11 p.m.
Entry tickets, ride tickets and wristbands are available at the gates.
The fair is open rain or shine.
