CNE Bandshell

CNE Bandshell
The Bandshell with a modern canopy extension (ca 2007)
General information
Inaugurated	August 28, 1936
Cost	CA$47,000 ($816 thousand in 2016 dollars)
Owner	City of Toronto
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Craig and Madill

The CNE Bandshell is an open-air concert venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Built in 1936, it is located at Exhibition Place on the Lake Ontario lake shore. It hosts the annual music program of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and is also used for festivals and picnic events, for which the "Bandshell Park" can be rented from the City of Toronto.

Inspired by the Hollywood Bowl, the Art Deco-styled Bandshell was built in 1936 according to designs prepared by the Toronto architectural firm of Craig and Madill. It cost CA$47,000 ($816 thousand in 2016 dollars) to construct. The building has two-and-a-half dressing rooms, an office, a "green room", a "switch room" and a sound room. The stage is 338 square metres (3,640 sq ft) in size.

The adjacent green space is known as Bandshell Park. In the north-east corner of the park is the Exhibition Place Carillon. At the north-side of the park is the "Garden of the Greek Gods" collection of sculptures. South of the bandshell is the "Acqua Dolce" Restaurant facing the rose garden.

The Bandshell was dedicated on August 28, 1936, by Toronto Mayor Sam McBride and the Lord Mayor of London Sir Percy Vincent at the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition. Highlighting the initial musical program was the Kneller Hall Band of Great Britain and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

The Bandshell replaced the 1906 bandstand in the park, one of two bandstands built in the early 1900s, the other was in today's Centennial Square (and subsequently rebuilt). The park was also the site of Canada's tallest flagpole and largest Canadian flag, marked with a small memorial. The flagpole, from a single tree, eventually had to be replaced and was removed. The CNE's largest Canadian flag now is located near the Ricoh Coliseum building. In the 1800s, the park was the site of the Crystal Palace exhibition building, which burnt down and was replaced by the present Horticulture Building to the north of the park.