Here's how the CNE tests midway rides to make sure they're safe
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is just days away from its Aug. 21 opening, and millions will soon flock to Toronto's Exhibition Place to take in the annual end-of-summer tradition.
Long before the gates open, CNE crews are working hard behind the scenes to prepare the Ex Grounds, including installing and testing the classic midway rides locals will soon wait in infinitely long lines to experience.
But how does one go about testing a midway ride without putting lives at stake? It turns out the answer is a lot simpler than you'd expect.
A recent video circulating on social media shows the CNE's iconic Sky Ride undergoing testing ahead of the fair's Friday opening, with large barrels of water standing in for the shifting weight of human riders.
Barrels of water make perfect sense when you think about it. The average adult human body is comprised of approximately 55 to 60 per cent water, and all that sloshing water can shift the weight of rocking Sky Ride cars.
The CNE states that all rides at the event undergo rigorous testing, with "each ride inspected and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority prior to the opening of the fair."
Organizers note that all rides are inspected daily throughout the 18-day event, with testing carried out by the CNE's midway operator, North American Midway Entertainment.
All CNE rides are inspected by third-party safety engineers, which organizers state "ensure a high level of maintenance and that all safety standards are met."
Despite all that testing, there have been past incidents where riders were injured on midway attractions, most recently a 2023 incident involving the popular Polar Express ride.
So, if you're cooped up in an office right now patiently awaiting the return of the CNE, just know that there are some very lucky barrels of water having the time of their lives testing midway rides as we speak.
Jack Landau
