Gradlife

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For those of us in the city this summer, we know the last two weeks in August is a season in and of itself – Ex season. Whether you attend or not, most of us can’t help but notice the added traffic and buzz around the city at this time. Living close to the Exhibition grounds myself, I can see its effects on the sugar-buzzed children and their parents carrying over-sized prize winnings as they wander home on public transit.

 

Not generally a fan of crowds, I decided to check out the Ex this year on the basis of attending a Grad Escapes outing to a TFC game. With the game ticket was free admission, so I thought – why not?! It also happened to be dinner time and if you aren’t into rides, games or farm animals, the Ex has no shortage of interesting food fares.

No deep-fried butter or Mars Bars for this girl, I opted for a more traditional meal of chicken and ribs courtesy of the ever-traveling Ribfest which happens to find itself at the Ex this time of year. One part due to a long over-due hankering, and the other-part due to time constraints, ribs seemed the perfect anti-dote to my craving and hunger. The lines were short and within minutes we were seated at a picnic table to gorge (a chicken and rib meal, with beans and potatoes was $14 and fed two of us). Verdict? I’d definitely do it again.

 

We found our way to the game and although Toronto lost, it wasn’t without its fair share of excitement and entertainment. A TFC game is unlike other sporting events in the city as the relatively small stadium, and enormously enthusiastic fans make it an experience in and of itself.  The tensions were high when Santos Laguna scored 1-0 early in the second half, only to be responded with a TFC goal minutes later. After a few gut-wrenching saves and near-goals (or misses), the visitors destroyed any hopes of Toronto victory by scoring (twice!) within the last three minutes of game time.

But I’ve noticed a trend with Toronto sports fans – losing doesn’t seem to cause any loss in hope. That being said, I’d happily attend another TFC game – and I think next time they’ll win.