Ontario CNE superfan gets lifetime admission after 81 years of attendance

An 81-year-old Ontario woman who has never missed a year at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) since she was born is being recognized as one of — if not the — fair's most dedicated fans.

Barbara Jean Batten, who was raised in Toronto and Scarborough and now lives in Bracebridge, Ont., has attended the end-of-summer fair every year since 1945, marking an unbroken attendance streak of 81 years.

To celebrate Batten's remarkable eight-decade run, the CNE is awarding her its first-ever "golden ticket," which will grant her admission to the fair for as many years as she would like to attend.

Batten's connection to The Ex goes back even further than her own 81 years of attendance to the 1930s, when her father competed in music competitions at the fair and won various harmonica medals. Her parents brought her to the CNE as an infant, and she continued to return year after year.

One of Batten's most cherished memories at the CNE was a visit she paid with her critically ill sister, Donna, whose final wish was to experience the fair with her family before her untimely passing.

After learning about Batten's incredible attendance streak, CNE organizers decided to recognize her unwavering, lifelong patronage with the fair's first-ever golden ticket. A special ceremony will take place inside the Princes' Gates this Friday, with Batten, her family members, CNE staff, and CNE CEO Mark Holland in attendance.

"We've received so many moving stories from dedicated CNE fans over the years; and are always finding ways to thank and recognize some of the exceptional people who are the heartbeat of our Fair, and why we do what we do," said Mark Holland. 

"Last year, we hosted a Marriage on the Midway ceremony for a CNE-loving couple; and this year, we're thrilled to introduce our first-ever Golden Ticket that will serve for future years as a CNE tradition to recognize a patron who has surpassed a Gold milestone of 50+ years of attending the Fair."

After the ceremony, Batten will continue on with her 81-year CNE tradition by taking part in her favourite pastime, the Birthday Game, and catching her favourite show, the SuperDogs.