CNE in Colour – The Joyful Lens of Scooter Korek

Gregg “Scooter” Korek has spent over four decades behind the scenes of Canada’s great fairs—ensuring safety, supporting operations, and shaping the joy that generations have come to associate with the midway. But beyond his official role, Scooter has quietly nurtured a deep love for photography. With a documentarian’s eye and a carnival insider’s access, he has amassed a vivid collection of images that celebrate the living pulse of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

This exhibition brings together Korek’s photography in thematic groupings—Night Scenes, Food, Rides, Music, Sculptures, and The People of the CNE, along with a few images from the Warriors Parade, and an extraordinary inclusion: a rare 1937 color film by Showman Patty Conklin, that offers a glimpse into the rise of modern entertainment.

What emerges is a celebration of community, nostalgia, and togetherness. Korek’s lens captures not only the spectacle of the fair, but the quieter, more intimate moments that often go unnoticed—the laughter over shared food, the glint of carnival lights at dusk, the pride of performers, and the unity of Canadians gathering in joyful celebration. His images radiate vibrant color, deep affection, and a profound sense of cultural memory.

Korek’s photographs resonate with an authenticity that could only come from someone embedded in the story. They offer a heartfelt visual archive that both documents and uplifts—the way a fair does at its best.