CNE off to a rough start after record-setting rainfall

Downpour led to substantially lower’ opening weekend attendance

- KEVIN JIANG

While the CNE’s opening day numbers beat out last year, Saturday’s downpour forced the fair to shut down or delay events.

The Canadian National Exhibition is off to a stormy start this year, after torrential downpours hit parts of the GTA on Saturday.

The wicked weather led to “substantially lower” attendance during the CNE’s opening weekend and going into Monday, officials told the Star.

“It was possibly one of the most challenging days in recent history,” said Darrell Brown, CEO of the CNE.

“So we’re playing catch up. But we’ve got lots of time.”