11. What year did the Blue Jays move to Exhibition Stadium?
12. Has Exhibition Place ever been closed to the public and the CNE not held?
13. Name some of the big bands that played the CNE in the 1930s, 40s and 50s?
14. What CNE buildings have been destroyed by fire?

11. What year did the Blue Jays first play baseball in Exhibition Stadium?

The first regular season game played by the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club at Exhibition Stadium was on April 7^th, 1977 against the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays, along with the Argonaut Football Club (who had started playing at Exhibition Place in 1959), moved to the Domed Stadium in downtown Toronto in 1989.

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12. Has Exhibition Place ever been closed to the public and the CNE not held?

Exhibition Place was closed to the public between 1942 and 1947, during which time the CNE was not held.

When the CNE ended in 1939, the grounds were turned over to the Department of National Defense for use as a recruiting and training facility. In August and September of 1940 and 1941, most troops moved out so the fair could be held. The Royal Canadian Air Force, however, continued to operate its Manning Depot in the Coliseum. During those years, nearly all CNE exhibits were attuned to the national war effort. This helped educate Canadians about the war and encouraged enlistment.

In April of 1942 the Canadian government decided to use the CNE grounds as a year-round military camp for the duration of the war. The CNE grounds were divided between the navy, army and air force. The Horse Palace became sleeping quarters for the army, the Coliseum became the domain of the air force, the Automotive building sheltered the navy and the Canadian Women's Army Corp. were stationed in Stanley Barracks.

On May 4th, 1945 the war ended and Exhibition Place was converted into a demobilization centre, helping to integrate soldiers back into society. This new role lasted until early in the summer of 1946, leaving too little time to plan and hold a fair that year. The CNE reopened in 1947.

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13. Name some of the big bands that played the CNE in the 1930s, 40s and 50s?

Duke Ellington, Abe Lyman, Guy Lombardo, Rudy Vallee, Horace Heidt, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rogers, Glen Gray, Tony Martin, Artie Shaw, Eddie Duchin, Sammy Kaye, Al and Bob Harvey, Ina Ray Hutton, Benny Goodman, Tony Pastor, Vaughan Monroe, The Modernaires, Gene Krupa, Trump Davidson and Spike Jones.

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14. What CNE buildings have been destroyed by fire?

• Crystal Palace, built in 1858, moved to the CNE grounds in 1878, destroyed by fire in 1906. Replaced by the Horticulture Building.

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• Grandstand #2, built in 1892-3, destroyed by fire in 1906. Replaced by Grandstand #3.

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• Manufacturers Building, built in 1902, destroyed by fire in 1961. Replaced by the Better Living Centre.

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• Grandstand #3, built in 1907, destroyed by fire in 1946. Replaced by Grandstand #4, which was demolished in 1999.

• Railways Building (Music Building), built in 1907, gutted by fire in 1987 and restored and reopened in 1991.

• Women's Building, built in 1908 as an addition to the Manufacturers Building, destroyed by fire in 1961.

• Transportation Building, built in 1905, destroyed by fire in 1974.

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