THUNDER BAY – Hot Child in the City should probably be the theme song of this year’s Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.
Organizers of the 129th edition of the popular summer event are hoping for hot weather, it’s always a child-friendly affair and the CLE makes the city a magnet for tourists travelling in from communities throughout the region.
And, of course, Nick Gilder, the man who took the song to No. 1 in 1978, is one of the headlining musical talent schedule to play the fair this year, a group that also include Canadian favourites Sass Jordan, Chilliwack, Harlequin, Sweeney Todd and the Sensational Hot Rods.
CLE president Al Law said the musical entertainment is just the tip of the iceberg.
As always, the popular midway rides will be back, along with plenty of games of chance and a wide variety of carnival-type food favourites for fair-goers to devour day and night.
The CLE, which routinely draws about 55,000 over its five-day run – scheduled to begin on Aug. 7 – is easily one of the biggest events of the summer, Law said.
“Once we changed our brand to a family fair, plus moving to August, it seemed to really help. A lot of individuals come in from the outlying communities. It’s good timing for them because they can be entertained, but they can also shop for their kids for school,” Law said.
Bobo the Clown, Science North, Gumpy Grampas, balloon artist Jeff Tanguay, illusionist Tyler Biloski and Jim ‘n’ I are also featured on the entertainment schedule.
There will also be a petting zoo for kids to get up close and personal with a variety of different furry critters and Sleeping Giant Exotics will be on hand with less cuddly, but equally interesting animals like snakes and other reptiles.
And it wouldn’t be an exhibition if there were contests for home crafts, culinary arts and horticulture, which will take place throughout the five-day event at the CLE grounds in the intercity area.
The fair will once again be hosting about 1,400 children in need free of charge, allowing them to enjoy the CLE for a day, something that might not otherwise be able to afford.
Advance tickets will be on sale at all three Metro locations in Thunder Bay, but Law said there will be a slight change as to when sales will cut off.
Rather than 9 p.m. on the Tuesday before the CLE opens, they’ll close on Sunday, Aug. 4.
It’s less frenzied for organizers and more seamless for grocery store employees he said.
Law added they’ll be bringing back the bingo tent and noted they’ve decided to erect a shade tent to help patrons cool off during the day.
