SuperEX organizers thrilled with attendance figures
The numbers are in.
During the 11-day run of SuperEX 2009, a total of 422,095 visitors entered the grounds – a three per cent increase over last year.
“We’re just thrilled with these figures,” said Central Canada Exhibition Association President Lyn Presley.
Ms Presley credits the resurgence in attendance to programming and added value.
“This year our slogan was Even More For Less Than Before, and I think we delivered on that,” she said.
In addition to more than 50 attractions and performers, including an educational animal theme, this year SuperEX lowered its prices and had five days of free or discounted admission.
Gate general admission was lowered to $10 from $12, and to $5 from $7 for children under 12. There was also a free opening day, two 2-for-1 evenings, a free kids day and a free day for seniors.
“A huge thanks goes out to our sponsors who made these days possible,” said Exhibition manager Wayne Roy speaking of Rona, Pizza Pizza, Gifford Associates & Giant Tiger and OLG Slots, respectively.
“This year our goal was to surpass last year’s attendance and aim for the half-million mark and that’s exactly what happened,” said Mr. Roy.
In fact the figures show SuperEX’s attendance has trended upwards each year since 2007 when it was 365,427.
Organizers wonder what these figures would have looked like if the last Saturday of SuperEX 2009 hadn’t been rained-out.
“We were on track to break the half-million mark for sure, but Mother Nature had different plans,” said Ms Presley.
Don’t let that end-of-summer depression hit you. Your friends at SuperEX have the perfect distraction – countless attractions, shows, rides and treats to help wrap-up the summer of ’09 in classic Ottawa tradition.
After a soggy day, SuperEX is ready to go out with a blast.
For $10 general admission – only $5 for kids under 12 – check out the Top Cop Academy High Dive Show, Xtreme Wild Predator & Prey Show, Endangered Ontario Show, strolling acts, music & dancing on the Scotiabank Community Stage & Giant Tiger Stage, wagon rides, agricultural & homecraft displays and a petting zoo in the Rona Pure Country Pavilion, and a full-slate of events in the RogersTV Sports, Leisure & Recreation Pavilion.
There’s even live on-site tattoos and collectibles available in the Civic Centre salons as hundreds head towards the WPD Classic Free-Roll Poker Tournament finals.
Perhaps most importantly – if the skies remain clear midway operators are excited to get the dozens of rides back up & running.
SuperEX is open 11:30-9 today – don’t miss your last chance to see it.
Attendance figures for this year’s event will be available Monday afternoon.
For Immediate Release
Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Rain? What rain?
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, its only fitting the last Saturday of SuperEX is a little soggy. Not that it matters much.
SuperEX has four major indoor venues which are totally unaffected by the rain, and in many ways have been beefed-up.
Inside the Rona Pure Country Pavilion today there will be full-tilt programming, including traditional sheep shearing, the Turpin Birds of Prey Show, wagon rides, a petting zoo, homecrafts and the tea room, Little Ray’s Endangered Ontario show and a Mississippi Girls concert.
The Stars on the Rise finals have been moved inside the Rona Pure Country Pavilion from the Superstage and will take place at 1 p.m.
Meantime, programming is also unaffected inside the RogersTV, Sports, Leisure & Recreation Pavilion. Features today include another Little Ray’s Endangered Ontario show and his display showcase, a roller derby bout, freestyle soccer, Ottawa Blues ball hockey and Ultimate Cheerleading.
Our strolling acts Kate Mior & Dan The One-Man-Band will also move some of their performances indoors if rain continues.
The WPD Classic Free-Roll Poker Tournament Finals is going ahead as planned today and tomorrow in the Civic Centre Salons.
And, if you’re hungry -- the International Food Court is covered and open for business. In fact we have three pubs on-site which won’t see a drop of rain.
Tonight’s concert on the Superstage – April Wine – is planned as rain or shine. That said, forecasts are calling for clearing skies as the day progresses.
Rides in our midway will resume as soon as the rain lets up. Much of the games and other features within Family Land and the adult midway will be open as usual. Some are unaffected.
There’s no reason to let a little sogginess spoil the great Ottawa tradition of ending your summer here at SuperEX.
Everything at SuperEX except rides & refreshments is free with $10 admission, $5 for kids under 12.
For Immediate Release
Friday, August 28th, 2009
Last chance to get in on poker tournament
Don’t let SuperEX’s WPD Classic Poker Tournament start without you.
Free with admission to the grounds, SuperEX is offering a huge free-roll poker tournament in the air-conditioned splendour of the Civic Centre Salon.
This is your last chance to get in on Friday’s top-128 Winner-Takes-All seven-round tournament. Grand prize is $1,500 cash – and more. Participants will be accepted up until Friday at 1 p.m. if space remains.
The winner of the tournament gets $1,500 cash and $1,500 in prizes. The top-16 players will all receive prizes.
Saturday sees the start of the massive 500-person, two-day tournament. It gets underway at 9 a.m. and continues with breaks until 11 p.m. On Sunday, games start again at 9 a.m. and continue until closing. Top-50 players receive prizes.
There may still be space available for this event if you get down to SuperEX Friday.
Prizes available include a 28-foot Starcraft camper, a Suzuki GSR X-1000 motorcycle, a 2009 Subaru Impreza or $25,000 in travel.
The Salon is jam-packed with all kinds of other prizes and merchandise displays which are sure to get your eyes popping – a history of poker exhibit, signed sports jerseys, NASCAR collectibles and rare mounted photos, a custom-built 10-foot chopper, poker supplies for sale, clothing and even two booths where you can get real custom tattoos between games.
Friday is also 2-For-1 Date Night. Pick up a coupon from Pizza Pizza and one admission is free with the purchase of another of equal value. Rides are also 2-for-1 when using ride coupons.
SuperEX: an ace that you can keep.
For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
SuperEX inaugural Ottawa Valley Apple Pie Baking Contest raises nearly $1000 for charity
The first-ever Ottawa Valley Apple Pie baking Contest was an even bigger success than organizers anticipated.
For the past month co-organizer Mick Armitage has been telling people “Don’t be shy – bake a pie!”
People weren’t the least bit shy.
A total of 70 entries were received from Ottawa & the Valley and the Pontiac.
Today was SuperEX MRC Pontiac Day, and fittingly that’s where the winning pie came from. Chosen by pie-master judge CTV Ottawa’s Max Keeping, the top pie chosen was made by Janet Graham of Bristol, Quebec. For her efforts, Ms Graham was awarded $500.
Second place, and $200, went to Linda Koenders of Nepean.
Third to fifth place prizes went respectively to Wanda Sherrat and Terry Hollaway, both of Ottawa, and Joan Rusenstrom of Bristol. These winners received $100 each.
All five top pies were auctioned-off by celebrity auctioneer Dave Smith for a combined total of $620. Together with sales of the remaining 65 pies, the event raised more than $800 which will be donated in part to the Province’s Organ Donor Awareness campaign.
In addition, a cheque for $5,000 was donated through Mr. Keeping to the CHEO Foundation by Pinecrest Remembrance Services.
“We’re just over the moon with the reaction to the pie baking contest,” said Mr. Armitage, “You can bet it will be back next year as sure as little apples are green.”
ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS DAY – Monday, August 24th at the SuperEX!
Blair Racine learned at a young age the importance of organ donation.
He was just 21 when diagnosed with kidney failure. He spent a year on dialysis, receiving test after test -- wondering how his life had changed so dramatically in just a short time.
“Dialysis makes you very limited to what you can do,” said Blair, 23, who was given a second chance after his mother donated her kidney to save her son’s life once testing had generated a tissue match.
“She is honestly a Superwoman,” Blair exclaimed proudly, adding his mother was up and walking about just three days after surgery.
Once the successful transplant was over, Blair started to feel like his old self again and is now working two jobs, traveling and just enjoying life to the fullest. None of which, would have been possible without organ donation.
“The freedom is unbelievable…it honestly gives you a second take on life,” he said.
Thousands of Canadians just like Blair are seeking help relating to all types of organ and tissue donation.
Monday is Organ Donor Awareness Day at Ottawa SuperEX. The 121-year old exhibition is doing its part by teaming up with the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Trillium Gift of Life Network.
“Organ and tissue donation is so important because we never know what help we’re going to need,” said Lyn Presley, president of the Central Canada Exhibition Association (CCEA).
“The green ribbons you see everyone wearing is a unified symbol of hope, resilience and community,” she added.
During the day there will be a group photo opportunity for SuperEX patrons to gather and form a human green ribbon to signify strength in numbers for this special day. Hundreds of green t-shirts, prepared by Hotpress Boutique of Pembroke, will be available and distributed free-of-charge.
“Being an organ donor gives the gift of life,” said Presley who is hoping people of all ages and backgrounds come support this great cause.
August 23rd, 1982 was a big night for Rhoda Blake & Dan Hudson.
The young pair was set-up by friends, so Dan decided to ask Rhoda to the EX for their first-date.
It must have gone well because they tied the knot in 1986.
Twenty-seven years later, the couple – now living near Montreal -- still make SuperEX an annual event. A sort of anniversary. This year is going to be even more special because their daughter Kelly will be performing in one of the Ex fashion shows.
The couple plan on being here Saturday, Aug. 22nd for that show and will be available to speak to the media about that fateful first date – everything from how Dan asked her out, the bus ride from Bayshore and whether they ever imagined where it would lead!
This heart-warming story is especially pertinent this year as SuperEX features Pizza Pizza 2-For-1 Date Nights as part of its programming.
SuperEX encourages couples (and obviously would-be couples!) to head to any participating Pizza Pizza location and get a coupon which can be used either Friday during SuperEX. The coupon is good for one free admission of equal price to the one purchased. It also entitles you to 2-for-1 midway rides when using ride coupons.
Media interested in meeting Dan & Rhoda and their three children should come to the SuperEX media trailer at Gate 5 on Saturday, August 22 at 1 p.m.
For more information on SuperEX prices, schedules, attractions, performers and shows please visit www.ottawasuperex.com.
For Immediate Release
Monday, August 17th, 2009
LAST CHANCE FOR ADVANCE!
Ottawa SuperEX is just around the corner -- and so is your last opportunity to purchase a Dr Pepper Advance Passport at participating Quickie Convenience Store locations.
Available for purchase until August 20th at noon, the Advance Passport consists of a park admission and a Ride-All-Day voucher for only $27.95 including taxes. With savings of up to $18, SuperEX is truly reaching out to both returning guests and new participants alike.
“The Advance Pass will really be keeping the best interests of our guests in mind,” said Wayne Roy, Exhibition Manager. The savings this year has really been a focal point of our campaign. The many ways to save we’ve come up with this year, should make our long list of performers, attractions, rides and shows even more appealing,” added Roy.
For more information on SuperEX prices, schedules, attractions, performers and shows please visit www.ottawasuperex.com.
For Immediate Release
July 30, 2009
STAGE SET FOR SUPER STAGE FREE CONCERT SERIES
OTTAWA – The Super Stage Free Concert Series presented by Pizza Pizza, CTV and Metro, includes a talented and exciting list of performers almost everyday during the August 20-30th event.
Award-winning artists, living legends, tribute performers and up-and-coming stars will perform for only the price of day admission to SuperEX.
One of the major headliners at this year’s EX is Bedouin Soundclash, a hot group that forges their own innovative style of Reggae, Rock, Punk and Soul. Their live show in Ottawa will be somewhat of a homecoming for the Canadian band, currently on-tour Stateside with No Doubt.
Country star Aaron Pritchett will help kick off the concert series on Friday, August 21st and Juno-winning classic rockers Prism arrive on the 22nd.
There will also be Abba, Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers tribute bands performing.
“This year’s musical entertainment was chosen so it would appeal to all music fans,” says Wayne Roy, Exhibition Manager.
“There is just so much talent at all of these shows,” Roy added.
Also on the schedule to perform will be special guests Faber Drive and double-threat dancer/singer phenom Danny Fernandes who topped the MuchMusic Countdown at #1 with his music video Private Dancer.
”With so much talent on stage, guests can look forward to getting their money’s worth,” said Roy.
To view the entire list of musicians and performers, visit www.ottawasuperex.com
For Immediate Release
June 8th 2009
SUPEREX ROLLS BACK PRICES
With so many exciting shows at this year’s SuperEX, the large-scale community fair is giving fans an additional bang for their buck by lowering admission and midway prices.
General admission is now $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and kids under two years old get in free.
Although the 2009 prices are $2 less than last year’s, the excitement of this year’s event is at a higher level.
“It’s great because the prices are lower, but people are going to get a more exciting experience,” said Wayne Roy, Exhibition Manager of SuperEX.
On-site midway prices are also lowered with ride-all-day passes at $36 and ride coupons being sold at $1.50 each or a strip of 22 for $30.
“We also have some unbelievable attractions on the schedule at this year’s event,” said Roy, referring to the death-defying Top Cop Academy High-Dive show and the ferocious Xtreme Wild show.
And watching professional daredevils jumping 80-feet into a shallow pool of water won’t require fans to dive into their own wallets either. The Xtreme Wild show is also sure to entertain while being educational.
The SuperEX is also making the Advance Pass available from July 27th to August 20th which allows for an $18 savings by purchasing an advance admission and a ride-all-day voucher for only $27.95 including taxes. The Advance Pass may be purchased at any participating Quickie Convenience Stores.
The first-ever Ottawa Valley Apple Pie baking Contest was an even bigger success than organizers anticipated.