The Central Canada Exhibition Association operated a fair annually from 1888 until 2010, except during World War II.
The fair was on hiatus due to plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park and the Association continued to work towards finding opportunities to bring back SuperEX.
The 1888 Exhibition Association evolved into a permanent organization, and a lease of the site was agreed to with the City of Ottawa.
Only a few buildings existed at the site at the time, including the first Grandstand, overlooking a dirt track and horse display area.
This dirt track and horse display area has evolved into today's Frank Clair Stadium.
The Exhibition operated annually, with the exception of several years during World War II, when the grounds were used by the Canadian military.
During the period from 1974 to 1994, funds were set aside for the move, and several buildings fell into decline, notably the Aberdeen Pavilion.
In August 1998, Jerome Charron, recent graduate of École Secondaire Publique Charlebois, died in a reverse bungee ride accident at the Ottawa Exhibition when he was hurled 40 meters into the air before plummeting to his death after his harness detached.
In 2005, the Solo Mobile / Eckored tour stopped at Lansdowne Park on August 25 to perform at the Ottawa SuperEX.
It featured four solo female singers: Keshia Chanté, Amanda Stott, Christine Evans and Cassie Steele.
[5] While The Rolling Stones played at the Frank Clair Stadium during the SuperEX of 2005, the show required a separate ticket.