One of the main attractions at any fall fair is the petting zoo where people of all ages can get up close and personal with a variety of farm animals. Little Brynn Amey, 4, of Georges River didn’t let the huge size of this beef cow scare her at all. She is the daughter of Holly and Bo Amey and the family was spending the day at the Cape Breton Exhibition in North Sydney on Saturday. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentJudging by the size of the crowds, the 110th anniversary edition of the Cape Breton Exhibition was bigger and better than ever.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content The event, held annually in North Sydney, is a fair celebrating the island’s agricultural heritage and community. Article contentArticle contentMichael Smith of Sydney was at the midway with his two daughters. Article contentArticle content“I’ve been coming to the exhibition every year since I was young,” said Smith. “Now, it’s become a tradition for the girls.” Article content Thousands of people crowded into the Cape Breton Exhibition grounds in North Sydney over the weekend aided by some pleasant weather and lots to see and do. The midway rides were expanded this year and brought out hundreds of families to make memories for years to come. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentHe said the exhibition is a place to make family memories for generations. Article contentAfter a few difficult years financially, three levels of government support came through last year and the facility improvements propelled the event forward for 2026. Article contentIn total, the improvement project to save the exhibition was projected to cost $3.2 million. Of that, the provincial government invested $1.3 million, the federal government and Cape Breton Regional Municipality each spent $800,000, and the exhibition society itself contributed $325,000. Article content The ferris wheel at this year’s Cape Breton Exhibition could be seen far and wide across North Sydney for the three days it was up and taking passengers of all ages on rides. A more elaborate midway was possible this year due to investments for the fair’s 110th year by all three levels of government. The line-ups for most of the rides were long on Saturday, but appeared worth the wait from the smiles. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentEXPANDED MIDWAY A HITArticle contentThis year, an expanded midway was a big hit, as were the improved animal barns and number of competitions. Article contentChildren flooded an area in the arena where farm animals were in open enclosures within reach of a youngster’s hand. Article contentAll the buildings have been spruced up and renovated in order to better accommodate their intended uses. The improved vendor building space made both sellers and buyers much more comfortable as they wandered through better-partitioned areas. Article contentArticle content It was a beautiful day for a ride for everyone who attended the Cape Breton Exhibition on Saturday. Seven-year-old Rose Smith turns and gives a wave to her dad before it’s up, up and away in a flying elephant. Rose is the daughter of Michael and Katherine Smith of Sydney. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentHandmade items, several food kiosks and a stage with continual entertainment made the event one that people spent several pleasurable hours at. Article contentArticle contentAll around the huge crowds and long line-ups for rides, people could be seen greeting others they hadn’t seen in years. Article contentJust a few days before the exhibition opened for its 110th year, Cape Breton Exhibition Society co-founder Donnie MacNeil had a dilemma others only dream of – running out of space to fit all the vendors. Article content“It’s a good problem to have,” MacNeil joked. Article content Fifteen-year-old Willow Fraser of Baddeck is seen riding her paint pony Ona just before entering the ring to compete Saturday afternoon. Fraser, who has been riding since she was two years old, trains four-year-old Ona. The pair came second in the pony command class. Willow competes in about 10 horse shows each year. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle content‘IT’S TRADITIONAL’Article contentWhen asked what the response has been from the community since taking over the grounds, MacNeil focused on the purpose of the Cape Breton Exhibition: bringing people together. Article content“People have always said to me, it’s traditional,” he said. “It’s a meeting place for the community. It’s the one place where people come home for vacation, or they come every year, and they run into people, and it’s the only place throughout the year that they see them, (have) the chance to reminisce. There’s a lot of history here.” Article contentOne more year of history is now behind them. From all appearances, it will be one of the good years to remember. Article content-with files from Brendyn CreamerArticle contentRosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government. Article content
‘It’s become a tradition’: More great memories in the books for Cape Breton Exhibition
