Playing at the Clova from May 26 to June 2 2011

Sorry there have been some posting issues lately with Blogger so I wasn't able to get this up sooner. Right now the Clova is playing Kung Fu Panda 2 at 7pm nightly. This is a first run so keeping with their agreement for 2 weeks exclusive on new runs they are probably playing it until June 9. Admission is $8. Or $15 for 2. Add $4 for each extra person in the group. Movie lets out at 8:30pm.

Raining on the Parade

9 times out of 10 it rains on the May long weekend. Right now it is raining lightly in Cloverdale, has been raining since I woke up at 7am so I don't know when the rain started.

I just came back from walking the dogs around Cloverdale and there are lots of viewing spots available on 176th Street.

Hopefully it will clear up later on.

Fence up Again at old Cloverdale Mall

Yesterday when I was walking past the old Cloverdale Mall I noticed they were putting up fence again near the Cloverdale Legion but I wasn't sure what was being fenced in.

Today I walked past and the site of the old Cloverdale Mall has been fenced in again.

I'm not sure if that is to prevent Cloverdale Rodeo guests from parking all over the place or if it is to prevent partiers from congregating there over the long weekend.

For all I know the fence could be up for good until the construction is complete.

There are still places to park at the old mall for people coming out to watch the parade. My advice if you want one of the few coveted parking spots - arrive early!

Cloverdale Rodeo/BC Lions Tailgate Party

When you're done at the Cloverdale bed races tonight - May 19 2011 - you might want to head over to the Agriplex for a tailgate party where the BC Lions are in attendance. 7pm to 11pm.

The Agriplex is located on 62nd Avenue. Turn east off 176th Street as if you're heading to the racetrack backstretch barn area.

Click here for the brochure. You have to click on a link to get your ticket. Attendance is free but it doesn't say whether or not the refreshments are free are how much they cost. I know at the Calgary Stampede there are a lot of free pancake breakfasts and all day BBQs at various events throughout the city. But this is small town Cloverdale! Not much of a budget for freebies.

Playing at the Clova from May 20 to 26 2011

Playing this week at the Clova starting Friday May 20 until the 26th is:

******Update May 20 2011 - I walked by the Clova this morning and the first film has been changed from Bridesmaids to Something Borrowed***********


7pm - Something Borrowed

9:10pm - Fast Five

Last show lets out at 11:20pm. Times are approximate. The Clova waits until patrons have finished purchasing at the concession and the lobby is clear before starting the movie. This takes longer on weekends and Tuesdays. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in your group. Tuesdays is $5 each. Bring your own reusable containers for popcorn and drinks and fill up at the concession for $2.50.

More Pancake Breakfasts before Cloverdale Rodeo Parade

OK I've seen a little more about pancake breakfasts before the Cloverdale Rodeo starts since my last post where only the Cloverdale Legion had the word out.

As expected the Lions will be selling pancakes in Hawthorne Square between 8am and 10am on Saturday May 21. This is on the west side of 176th Street between 57th and 58th Avenues. I don't know how much they're charging. No mention of cost. Budget maybe $5?

The Cloverdale United Church 17575 58A Avenue is also having a pancake breakfast on Saturday May 21 between 8am and 10am. Again no mention of price. If they don't say then I always guess there is likely a charge. Again budget around $5 per breakfast.

So far there is no word on the Cloverdale Reformed Church's website about their annual pre-rodeo pancake breakfast. However the newspaper Cloverdale Reporter included them in an article and said they're having their free pancake breakfast on Saturday May 21 from 8am to 9:30am. They're located at 17473 60th Avenue.

Happy eating!

Pre Rodeo Party on the Hill

I've seen some advertising for a pre rodeo party at the Clayton Crossing Shopping Centre and the Hillcrest Village Shopping Centre. They're across the street from each other on the Fraser Highway and 188th Street.

Event takes place on Sautday May 14 from 11am to 4pm but its kind of vague what is happening, what time, and in which mall so you may have to cross the street if what you're looking for is on the other side of the highway.

BBQ's, live music from Appaloosa and Trailer Park Playboys, and stuff for kids like bouncy castles and coloring contests. Win rodeo tickets.

Anyone see the weather forecast for tomorrow? It says sunny with cloudy periods and a small chance of rain showers. Ah those weather forecasters. Trying to cover all bases. Just watch it rain now!

Cloverdale Legion Pancake Breakfast Saturday May 14 2011

I noticed the Cloverdale Legion has a sign out front that they're holding a pancake breakfast tomorrow - Saturday May 14 2011. 17567 57th Avenue across from the fire department.

Cost is $4.50 and includes pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, tea, and orange juice that is more like a drink.

8am until 11:30am.

Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th of May. Unlucky for bloggers? Maybe. Blogger was down for nearly 24 hours. Read only but no posts or comments. Apparently some bloggers lost some of their posts from Wednesday and Blogger is trying to reinstate posts and comments.

I don't know. I'm not that superstitious. There were some posts I wanted to get up yesterday but didn't because Blogger was down so I'll put up a few today for what's happening around Cloverdale.

Playing at the Clova from May 13 to 19 2011

Starting this Friday May 13 until the 19th at the Clova is:

7pm - Limitless

9pm - I Am Number Four

Last show lets out at 10:50pm. Admission is $8. Or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in the group. Tuesday night admission is $5.

Events around Cloverdale Rodeo 2011

Here are a few things happening around Cloverdale on the May long weekend. The only one with paid admission is the rodeo and fair. All other events, excluding pancake breakfasts, are free. Well there might be one free pancake breakfast. Haven't verified that for sure yet though. Will update later once I know.

Thursday May 19 5pm - Kid's decorated bike parade. 57A Avenue and 176A Street, next to the Pharmasave. Registration starts at 5pm and the parade is at 5:40pm. For more information phone 604-574-9802.

Thursday May 19 6pm - Cloverdale Bed Races. This happens on 176A Street between 58th and 57A Avenue. Though I believe 176A is closed to vehicle traffic between 58th and 57th, maybe even to 56A. Deadline to enter your team is Friday May 13. Download an application here.

Friday May 20 to Monday May 23 - Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. Performance and opening times vary. Held in the Cloverdale fairgrounds, corner of 176th Street and 60th Avenue. Check their website for more information.

Friday May 20 to Monday May 23 8am to 11:30am - pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Legion 17567 57Ave. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, orange juice/drink for $4.50.

Friday May 20 4:30pm to 6:30pm - Chili cook off held in the Clover Square Village south corner of 177B Street and Highway 10. Free chili testing - vote for your favorite. Also live entertainment.

Saturday May 21, 10am - Cloverdale Rodeo Parade. Most people head to 176th Street to catch the action. See my previous post for more information on the route.

Saturday May 21, 11am to 4pm - Sheep shearing and weaving competition. Held at the Cloverdale Museum, presumably outside! 17710 56A Avenue.

Usually the Lions have a pancake breakfast set up in Hawthorne Square (176th Street almost across from the Clova) on Saturday prior to the rodeo parade. I haven't seen them advertised yet. I do know that Cloverdale's Trailerpark Playboys will be entertaining the pre-parade crowd with music and they are usually set up in the Hawthorne Square area.

In past years the Cloverdale Canadian Reformed Church has held a free pancake breakfast prior to the rodeo parade. They also sell parking spots to rodeo goers, about a block or two walk to the fairgrounds. Nothing mentioned on their web page or outside their church yet so I will keep you posted as I find out.

Cloverdale Rodeo Parade 2011

The Cloverdale Rodeo Parade is on Saturday May 21 starting at 10am. In an unusual move this year the rodeo association has published the parade route. Its kind of hit or miss whether they do that each year. Usually miss. But the route is usually the same anyway. The parade entries set up between 176A Street and 177B Street on 56A Ave, 57 Ave, 57A Ave, 58 Ave, and 58A Ave. You can go down ahead of time and wander around. No restrictions to pedestrian traffic. They get rolling down 177B Street and head to Highway 10 where the west bound lanes are closed to traffic. I can't remember if I mentioned being in the parade when I was in high school riding my horse alongside a friend, a green rider riding a green horse. Always a good combination in crowds. As soon as we got to Highway 10 and the traffic on the other side of the road her horse took one look at the cars and decided to spin around and go home. I had to grab its reins and lead it alongside my bomb proof Quarter Horse until we safely reached 176th Street and no vehicle traffic. The parade goes down 176th Street to 58A Ave, then turns north on 176A Street and heads back to the fairgrounds, though most of the entries tend to fall apart before getting there. Its easier to turn right and go back to the staging area I guess!
You can download the parade route map here.

Good rule of thumb is if you aren't interested in the Cloverdale Rodeo or parade stay out of the area!

If you're thinking about being an entry in this year's Cloverdale Rodeo Parade you don't have a whole lot more time to think about it. Entries close on Monday May 9. Click here for the entry form.

Playing at the Clova from May 6 to 12 2011

This week at the Clova starting Friday May 6 until May 12 is:

7pm - Barney's Version

9:15pm - Source Code

Last show lets out at 10:50pm. Admission is $8. If there are two of you, price is $15. Add another $4 for each extra person in the group.

Cloverdale Rodeo 2011

Cloverdale's annual big event is nearly upon us. That's right its rodeo time!

This year the Cloverdale Rodeo is held from May 20 to 23, 2011. For more information visit their website.

Yikes the ticket cost for admission to the rodeo grounds is $12! Save a couple of bucks and buy tickets at London Drugs for $10. I think you go to their customer service desk for them.

Rodeo performances are $20 to $30 depends on which day you book. In the past when you bought rodeo tickets in advance it included admission to the fairgrounds. This year the web page doesn't say that it does so at this time I don't know one way or the other.

Fence Coming Down at old Cloverdale Mall

Today there is a crew dismantling the temporary fencing that was around the old Cloverdale Mall while they were doing the demolition. The lot is now full of crushed concrete and debris that has been graded into a fairly flat surface. Makes a good fill. I'm not sure what they start doing next.

In the past this parking lot has been used primarily by visitors to the rodeo during the May long weekend. With the fence up there is maybe 10 parking spots if one enters off 58th Avenue near the Cloverdale Bypass. There is more parking around the Cloverdale Legion off 57th Avenue but there are cements barricades up not allowing anyone to drive past them. However with the fence coming down that opens up many more parking spots along the west side of the former mall closests to the Cloverdale Bypass, able to access from either 57th or 58th depending on where the rodeo volunteers are setting up barricades that morning. Usually vehicle traffic is not allowed to turn onto 58th Avenue off the bypass.

Also there would be lots of parking spaces available on the crushed concrete site of the old mall. However I think only someone driving a beat up pick up truck might attempt that!

Sprucing up around Cloverdale

May is the big month in Cloverdale when thousands of visitors descend on our not so small town (anymore!).

City crews have been mowing the lawns on medians. Good thing too was getting about knee high. Other landscaping has been done. 176th Street flower beds got new bark mulch not too long ago. I saw a street sweeper on our street a couple of days ago. It would be nice if we get this attention for the other months of the year too.

Not all the Christmas lights are down yet. Some of the ones that are still up are plugged in - not all of them though. They're white lights and look kind of nice.

Will update my blog with news of the Cloverdale Rodeo and other happenings in May as I hear about them.