A Birthday Tradition At The Central Canada Exhibition

The Central Canada Exhibition (CCE), or Ottawa Ex, or SuperEx as it would eventually come to be known, was the Ontario equivalent to the State Fair of Texas. It would take place each August at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa – the home of the Ottawa Rough Riders football team. Yes, that would be Canadian football, that world of 3 downs for 10 yards, wide field, and huge end zones (how does 25 yards sound to you, Mr, Defensive Back?).

The CCE had your standard carnival rides and games, livestock shows, and lots of cotton candy and funnel cakes (or the Canadian equivalent). But they also had nightly music shows at the football stadium at Lansdowne Park.

My exposure to live music started at the CCE as a birthday present. During my teen years, it became a consistent birthday event. The only thing that changed was the music – and my age.

In today’s era, teens don’t want to go anywhere like a concert with their parents. It’s not terribly cool now is it?But for me, it was never a problem. Having parents that enjoyed ‘60s and ‘70s rock and blues, the music that I had grown to love, usually made the choice an easy one. It’s not like my parents were into Lawrence Welk or anything so mundane. For many years, I think my parents enjoyed my birthday as much as I did because it gave them an excuse to go catch a concert.

My first concert ever – a birthday at the CCE – was none other than the Steve Miller Band. The date: August 21, 1978. I was 13 years old, with my 14th birthday right around the corner. It was the start of a long history of live music for me. The ticket price was $8.50. Wow. Great birthday value at a low, low price!

My annual CCE birthday extravaganza included some great shows. It started with Steve Miller in 1978. There was Canadian hard rock power trio Triumph in 1979. I can still see Rik Emmett jamming out to “Lay It On The Line” and “Rock ‘N Roll Machine”. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band followed in 1980. There was that heart-wrenching sax intro to “Turn The Page” that can give me goose bumps even to this day. REO Speedwagon made an appearance  in 1981. This was right around the time of their album “High Infidelity”.

I think the last time I went to the CCE for my birthday was to see George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers with Johnny Winter in 1985. Thorogood could really get the crowd going. He was a true performer. Johnny Winter was my first live exposure to Texas blues. Now that was a reason to come check out Texas music if ever there was one.

I was saddened to learn that the Ottawa SuperEx was suspended for 2011. This year is the first time since 1888 that there would not be an exhibition held at Lansdowne Park.

Although the CCE is no longer with us, the birthday memories are still pretty vivid. Those were great times that had such a lasting impact on my world, a catalyst for a true love of music, and eventually a desire to play guitar live myself.

Photo credits: Wikipedia