The Cloverdale Rodeo and all the events surrounding it is coming up this long weekend. The city crews have been busy spiffing up town. The lawns in the boulevards have been mowed and the hanging planters are up along 176th Street and the automatic waterers are keeping them watered.
For the past couple of days there is activity in the Cloverdale fairgrounds while midway rides and concession stands are getting set up in place.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, May 15, 2014 with the bed races on 176A Street between 57th and 58th Avenues. It starts around 6pm. Come out and cheer on your favourite team!
On Friday, May 16, 2014, the great chili cook off is happening in the Clover Square Village on Highway 10 and 177B Street. This is from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Tasting the chili is free and often the competitors have other snacks (tortilla chips, cookies, beverages) so come out and eat enough where you don't have to cook dinner. Vote for the best chili and enjoy the music entertainment.
The fairgrounds opens at 4pm for the midway and there will be a rodeo performance that night.
Check their website for the hours of operation all weekend. http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/
On Saturday morning the Cloverdale Rodeo parade gets underway at 10am, depending on your viewing area. The parade sets up on the side streets between 176A Street and 177B Street (roughly between 56A Avenue and 58 Avenue. The parade heads south on 177B Street to Highway 10. Half the highway is shut down during the parade. The parade goes west on Highway 10 and then turns left (north) on 176th Street. This is the most popular area for viewing the parade. Arrive early for a good spot if this is the place you want to be. The parade continues to 58A Avenue, then hangs a right (east) to 176A Street and turns left (north) back towards the fairgrounds. It kind of peters out here so don't find a viewing spot on 176A and hope to see the parade. The competitors are stopping and turning around to get back to where they parked their cars.
City workers have put up big signs on 176th Street just north of 64th Avenue and just before the Roger Pierlet Overlet overpass over the train tracks advising drivers due to the event there will be traffic tie ups. Unfortunately where they put the signs up there is really nowhere else for the drivers to go but head straight into Cloverdale and the traffic congestion. If you don't plan to attend the rodeo or go to the fair, avoid the Cloverdale fairgrounds area. Traffic is snarled. Go a few blocks out of your way and you'll save yourself lots of time.
Showing posts with label rodeo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rodeo. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Traffic in Cloverdale on Rodeo Weekend
Stay away from 60th Avenue in Cloverdale this weekend. Traffic nightmare! Cars are lined up both directions on 60th hoping to get into the fairgrounds to park. Cars are lined up all the way back to 176th Street, being held up by the majority of cars trying to get into the left hand turn lane at the 177B Street entrance into the fairgrounds. Bad luck for anyone who isn't planning to go to the fair or rodeo and wants to drive straight through towards Langley. Use another street!
I walked past the entrance by 177B Street at 2:30 and the parking lot was full. I watched the parking attendant pull a barricade across the driveway entrance and waving his arms at the traffic to continue along 60th. The cars in the left hand turn lane refused to believe him and the drivers stayed where they were causing a huge traffic jam behind them. Likewise cars on 177B Street who needed to turn left or right. Instead the drivers either stayed where they were backing up traffic behind or drove through the intersection anyway only to be greeted by the parking attendant telling them to turn up or down 60th.
All the street parking on 60th, west of 176 Street is all taken. Also Greenaway Park is full. The church near the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue is taking paying parking customers for $10 but it looked pretty full when I drove past at 11am.
All that's left is to find residential street parking around the fairgrounds. Make sure you are parked legally. The parking bylaw officers are out in full force because the Cloverdale Rodeo weekend is a huge cash cow for them. The driver of this car parked the wrong direction on the street and has been ticketed.
I walked past the entrance by 177B Street at 2:30 and the parking lot was full. I watched the parking attendant pull a barricade across the driveway entrance and waving his arms at the traffic to continue along 60th. The cars in the left hand turn lane refused to believe him and the drivers stayed where they were causing a huge traffic jam behind them. Likewise cars on 177B Street who needed to turn left or right. Instead the drivers either stayed where they were backing up traffic behind or drove through the intersection anyway only to be greeted by the parking attendant telling them to turn up or down 60th.
All the street parking on 60th, west of 176 Street is all taken. Also Greenaway Park is full. The church near the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue is taking paying parking customers for $10 but it looked pretty full when I drove past at 11am.
All that's left is to find residential street parking around the fairgrounds. Make sure you are parked legally. The parking bylaw officers are out in full force because the Cloverdale Rodeo weekend is a huge cash cow for them. The driver of this car parked the wrong direction on the street and has been ticketed.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Cloverdale Rodeo weekend May 17 - 20, 2013
It's that time of the year again when Cloverdale comes alive with a rodeo, fairgrounds rides, animal expos, and vendors hawking their wares. If you've ever dreamed of being a cowboy or cowgirl or just like watching them in action, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Fair is on from May 17th to 20th, 2013.
Here's a rundown for what to expect and for more information you can go to the Cloverdale Rodeo website http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/
Actually the events start one day in advance on Thursday May 16 with the Cloverdale bed races taking place on 176A Street between 57th and 58th Avenues and a bike parade from 5pm to 7pm.
On Friday May 17th come to the Clover Square Village - corner of 177B Street and Highway 10 - for the chili cook off 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Sampling and voting is free. There are singers up on the stage to entertain the audience.
Cloverdale Rodeo Parade is on Saturday morning May 18th starting at 10am depends where you are for viewing it. The parade entries set up between 56A and 58th Avenues east of 176A Street, and if they're following the pattern they do every year, they get into formation along 177B Street and head south to Highway 10. They turn right (west) on Highway 10 where half the highway has been blocked to vehicle traffic and then turns right (north) down 176th Street. The parade goes all the way down to 58A Avenue then turns right, and then left onto 176A Street back towards the fairgrounds and just kind of ends along this stretch.
I heard that the free trolley rides are going on Saturday and Sunday but I haven't been able to find out for sure yet. Normally it runs between Clover Square Village, Hawthorne Square in downtown Cloverdale, Clover Crossing Mall, and Clayton Hill Mall. If I find out if the trolley will be back I'll post it here.
I'll have some more posts coming soon about where to park in Cloverdale and pancake breakfasts.
Here's a rundown for what to expect and for more information you can go to the Cloverdale Rodeo website http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/
Actually the events start one day in advance on Thursday May 16 with the Cloverdale bed races taking place on 176A Street between 57th and 58th Avenues and a bike parade from 5pm to 7pm.
On Friday May 17th come to the Clover Square Village - corner of 177B Street and Highway 10 - for the chili cook off 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Sampling and voting is free. There are singers up on the stage to entertain the audience.
Cloverdale Rodeo Parade is on Saturday morning May 18th starting at 10am depends where you are for viewing it. The parade entries set up between 56A and 58th Avenues east of 176A Street, and if they're following the pattern they do every year, they get into formation along 177B Street and head south to Highway 10. They turn right (west) on Highway 10 where half the highway has been blocked to vehicle traffic and then turns right (north) down 176th Street. The parade goes all the way down to 58A Avenue then turns right, and then left onto 176A Street back towards the fairgrounds and just kind of ends along this stretch.
I heard that the free trolley rides are going on Saturday and Sunday but I haven't been able to find out for sure yet. Normally it runs between Clover Square Village, Hawthorne Square in downtown Cloverdale, Clover Crossing Mall, and Clayton Hill Mall. If I find out if the trolley will be back I'll post it here.
I'll have some more posts coming soon about where to park in Cloverdale and pancake breakfasts.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Pre-Rodeo Party on the Hill Saturday May 12 2012
The Clayton Crossing Shopping Centre and the Hillcrest Village Shopping Centre (Fraser Highway and 188th Street) are hosting a pre-rodeo event again this year.
Saturday May 12 between 11am and 3pm.
Here's the info from the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association's website:
Tis the season to get Western and just before the May long weekend, the
Cloverdale Business Improvement Association, the Cloverdale District Chamber of
Commerce and a number of local Cloverdale businesses get together to celebrate a
number of Pre-Rodeo events. The first event to kick off the festivities is the
“Pre-Rodeo Party on the Hill” held on Sat. May 12th from 11am – 3pm. This
second annual event is held at the Hillcrest Village Shopping Centre and at
Clayton Crossing Shopping Centre located at 188th Street and Fraser Highway.
They will have two great bands playing throughout the event, Underfire and
Appaloosa. There will also be 4 bouncy castles, face painters, a petting zoo,
balloon artists, a coloring contest, kid games, BBQs and other great food
options and so much more. The Cloverdale Food Bank will also be set up at the
event to receive any non perishable food items. They hope you and your family
can come out and be a part of all the fun and to find out more about the event
call: 604-538-7588.
Saturday May 12 between 11am and 3pm.
Here's the info from the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association's website:
Tis the season to get Western and just before the May long weekend, the
Cloverdale Business Improvement Association, the Cloverdale District Chamber of
Commerce and a number of local Cloverdale businesses get together to celebrate a
number of Pre-Rodeo events. The first event to kick off the festivities is the
“Pre-Rodeo Party on the Hill” held on Sat. May 12th from 11am – 3pm. This
second annual event is held at the Hillcrest Village Shopping Centre and at
Clayton Crossing Shopping Centre located at 188th Street and Fraser Highway.
They will have two great bands playing throughout the event, Underfire and
Appaloosa. There will also be 4 bouncy castles, face painters, a petting zoo,
balloon artists, a coloring contest, kid games, BBQs and other great food
options and so much more. The Cloverdale Food Bank will also be set up at the
event to receive any non perishable food items. They hope you and your family
can come out and be a part of all the fun and to find out more about the event
call: 604-538-7588.
Cloverdale getting pre-rodeo spruce up
Its that time of year when Cloverdale gets some attention in preparation for the May long weekend when the rodeo comes to town. The City of Surrey has sent maintenance to mow the grass growing alongside the city boulevards on the Cloverdale Bypass and 57th Avenue along the block where the Legion is and the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. Plus the big grassy area on 58th and the bypass, closing in on where the ambulance station is has been mowed. It looks like the maintenance crew isn't doing anything more on 57th Avenue alongside the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. They mowed/trimmed the grass between the sidewalk and the street but they didn't clean up the broken glass on the sidewalk. Also the grass and juniper bushes between the sidewalk and the parking lot only got one swipe with a lawnmower. It looks pretty messy.
Today I see the street sweeper making the rounds of Cloverdale streets. Then that'll be it for another year!
So far the hanging plants haven't showed up on 176th Street. It'll be nice if they're up in time for the rodeo. Fortunately so far the water hasn't been turned on, a problem they had before, which meant they either had to put some hanging plants up to be watered or turn the automatic timer off because the only thing being watered was the sidewalk and any unfortunate pedestrians who may have been standing nearby!
Today I see the street sweeper making the rounds of Cloverdale streets. Then that'll be it for another year!
So far the hanging plants haven't showed up on 176th Street. It'll be nice if they're up in time for the rodeo. Fortunately so far the water hasn't been turned on, a problem they had before, which meant they either had to put some hanging plants up to be watered or turn the automatic timer off because the only thing being watered was the sidewalk and any unfortunate pedestrians who may have been standing nearby!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Rodeo Paintings on Cloverdale Shops
Here are some photos around downtown Cloverdale where the shopkeepers have hired a painter to decorate their windows to celebrate the Cloverdale Rodeo. Photos taken from iPhone with dog yanking on the leash and some of these windows have glare and a couple of them are mirror images so you can see the cars on the street! At least this gives some idea of how some shopkeepers are getting into the rodeo spirit.
Friday, May 13, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, May 9, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Cloverdale rodeo pancake update
I just drove past the Canadian Reformed Church on 60th and there is a sign outside saying their pancake breakfast on May 16 is free. See you there!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Cloverdale Rodeo Pancake Breakfasts May 16 2009
On the morning of the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade there are several pancake breakfasts held around town on Saturday May 16, 2009.
Probably the most popular will be the one put on by the Cloverdale Lions in Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, across from the Dale Building and the Clova Cinema, partly between 58th and 57th Avenues. This will be from 8am till 10am, approximately when the parade starts. A local band, the Trailerpark Playboys will be providing musical entertainment and an Elvis impersonator is also scheduled to make an appearance. Now keep in mind this is the May long weekend and it always rains. Or at least it has for 11 of the past 15 years if memory serves me correctly. The Lions pancake breakfast is held outside. Depending on the weather it might be a flop. Cost is unknown but I can't imagine it will be more than $5.
For an indoor pancake breakfast, the Cloverdale Legion is nearby on 57th Avenue, across from the firehall and serve breakfast from 6:30am till about 11:30am. In fact they'll be serving pancakes each day of the long weekend. We often go there for their monthly pancake breakfasts. For $4 ($3 for kids) they serve pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and orange drink. You can go back for seconds if you're still hungry.
The Cloverdale United Church also has a pancake breakfast starting at 8am. They're located on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass and 58th Avenue, but you'll have to drive around to their entrance on 58A Avenue to park. Free parking for the parade and rodeo if you come in for pancakes. Cost unknown for 2009 but in 2008 it was $2.
The Cloverdale Canadian Reformed Church on 60th Avenue is also holding a pancake breakfast. Cost unknown, but in 2008 it was free! That was the deciding factor where we ate pancakes last year. In addition to pancakes they served sausages and coffee and juice. I don't recall if there was fried eggs here. They also offered free parking for parade and rodeo goers who came in for breakfast. They're located at 17473 60th Avenue.
Probably the most popular will be the one put on by the Cloverdale Lions in Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, across from the Dale Building and the Clova Cinema, partly between 58th and 57th Avenues. This will be from 8am till 10am, approximately when the parade starts. A local band, the Trailerpark Playboys will be providing musical entertainment and an Elvis impersonator is also scheduled to make an appearance. Now keep in mind this is the May long weekend and it always rains. Or at least it has for 11 of the past 15 years if memory serves me correctly. The Lions pancake breakfast is held outside. Depending on the weather it might be a flop. Cost is unknown but I can't imagine it will be more than $5.
For an indoor pancake breakfast, the Cloverdale Legion is nearby on 57th Avenue, across from the firehall and serve breakfast from 6:30am till about 11:30am. In fact they'll be serving pancakes each day of the long weekend. We often go there for their monthly pancake breakfasts. For $4 ($3 for kids) they serve pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, and orange drink. You can go back for seconds if you're still hungry.
The Cloverdale United Church also has a pancake breakfast starting at 8am. They're located on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass and 58th Avenue, but you'll have to drive around to their entrance on 58A Avenue to park. Free parking for the parade and rodeo if you come in for pancakes. Cost unknown for 2009 but in 2008 it was $2.
The Cloverdale Canadian Reformed Church on 60th Avenue is also holding a pancake breakfast. Cost unknown, but in 2008 it was free! That was the deciding factor where we ate pancakes last year. In addition to pancakes they served sausages and coffee and juice. I don't recall if there was fried eggs here. They also offered free parking for parade and rodeo goers who came in for breakfast. They're located at 17473 60th Avenue.
Sprucing up Cloverdale
In anticipation of the rodeo this weekend Cloverdale is getting spruced up. Someone at City Hall has sent the crews out. Too bad it only happens once a year.
The first thing I saw last week was a line painter repainting the yellow lines down the centre of the streets.
On Monday morning at 7:30 I ran into a street cleaner on 57 Avenue and 176A Street. At 10:30 Monday night I saw the street cleaner again when I had to run out on a quick errand. I don't know if its the same street cleaner or not, but it was the same truck, or at least a truck that looked exactly like the one I saw 15 hours earlier!
Today the landscapers/gardeners are out in force, especially around the Cloverdale Bypass and 58 Avenue area. Two tractors with lawn mower attachments and huge arms on them are cutting the grass around the United Church and across the street that huge lawn area got cut and there are a crew of people handling weed eaters in this general area.
On another note the carnival folks have started setting up the midway rides. I'm wondering if the rides will be open for thrill seekers this Thursday night following the bed races. When I was a teenager they didn't have the bed races back then, but the carnival midway always opened up the night before so the locals could come out and enjoy the rides before the weekend crowds hit.
The first thing I saw last week was a line painter repainting the yellow lines down the centre of the streets.
On Monday morning at 7:30 I ran into a street cleaner on 57 Avenue and 176A Street. At 10:30 Monday night I saw the street cleaner again when I had to run out on a quick errand. I don't know if its the same street cleaner or not, but it was the same truck, or at least a truck that looked exactly like the one I saw 15 hours earlier!
Today the landscapers/gardeners are out in force, especially around the Cloverdale Bypass and 58 Avenue area. Two tractors with lawn mower attachments and huge arms on them are cutting the grass around the United Church and across the street that huge lawn area got cut and there are a crew of people handling weed eaters in this general area.
On another note the carnival folks have started setting up the midway rides. I'm wondering if the rides will be open for thrill seekers this Thursday night following the bed races. When I was a teenager they didn't have the bed races back then, but the carnival midway always opened up the night before so the locals could come out and enjoy the rides before the weekend crowds hit.
Friday, May 1, 2009
What's happening in Cloverdale in May 2009?
I have a few events that will be happening this month around Cloverdale.
May 2 and 3: the Royal Hudson steam train will arrive in Cloverdale behind the Clydesdale Inn located on the south side of Highway 10, just a little east of 176th Street. Around 11:30 am for about an hour or so. Good photo opportunities. But if you'd like to do more than look at it, you can ride it, departing the New Westminster Quay at 10am. On the return trip from Cloverdale it stops at the Sullivan Station for about half an hour and returns to New West at 3pm. Tickets cost $99 plus taxes. Phone West Coast Rail Tours 604-524-1011.
May 14: the Cloverdale Bed Races start at 6pm and run for a couple of hours or until all the teams have had a chance to race. This takes place on 176A Street between 58 Avenue and 57 Avenue and is pretty much the kick off to the Cloverdale Rodeo long weekend. There is usually live music and food stands like hot dogs. If you're interested in putting a team together, here is the application form. http://www.cloverdale.bc.ca/chamber/Bed%20Race%20Application%202009.pdf
May 15: the Cloverdale Chili Cookoff is in the Cloversquare Village at Highway 10 and 177B Street between 4pm and 6pm. Test the chilis and vote for your favorite. Also has live entertainment.
May 16: the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade has the usual parade entries: baton twirlers, bands, floats, clowns, dancers, and horses. Starts at 10am for about 2 hours. Here's a map of the parade route so you can choose where you want to sit. Most people head to 176th Street around 58 Avenue. This route map almost looks like the parade route from 1977 blocking off a couple of lanes on Highway 10 for the parade route. I rode my horse in the parade that year with a friend on a less broke horse and when we got to Highway 10 at 176A Street and the through cars in the adjacent lanes her horse turned around on her. I managed to grab her horse and ponied it along until we got to 176th Street and no more vehicle traffic and she was OK again. Perhaps there are so many entries this year that the extra route is needed. http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/pdf/Rodeo-Parade-2009.pdf
May 15 - 18 the Cloverdale Country Fair and Rodeo. The fairgrounds open on Friday May 15 at 4pm and closes at midnight. Saturday May 16 11am to 1am, Sunday May 17 11am to midnight, and Monday May 18 11am to 5pm. Admission to the fairgrounds is $10. Yikes! It was free when I was a kid. However, you can save a couple of bucks by prepurchasing tickets at the Cloverdale, White Rock, Guildford, and Langley London Drugs for $8. The rodeo performances are on each day. This is an invitation only rodeo where the contestants compete for cash prizes. Cloverdale lost its pro rodeo tour rating when they decided to eliminate various events. For more information on the events and rodeo times see http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com
And that's pretty much it. The May long weekend events being the highlight. The Cloverdale Flea Market is on each Sunday at the fairgrounds, but cancelled on the rodeo weekend. Likewise there is no horse racing at Fraser Downs on that weekend.
May 2 and 3: the Royal Hudson steam train will arrive in Cloverdale behind the Clydesdale Inn located on the south side of Highway 10, just a little east of 176th Street. Around 11:30 am for about an hour or so. Good photo opportunities. But if you'd like to do more than look at it, you can ride it, departing the New Westminster Quay at 10am. On the return trip from Cloverdale it stops at the Sullivan Station for about half an hour and returns to New West at 3pm. Tickets cost $99 plus taxes. Phone West Coast Rail Tours 604-524-1011.
May 14: the Cloverdale Bed Races start at 6pm and run for a couple of hours or until all the teams have had a chance to race. This takes place on 176A Street between 58 Avenue and 57 Avenue and is pretty much the kick off to the Cloverdale Rodeo long weekend. There is usually live music and food stands like hot dogs. If you're interested in putting a team together, here is the application form. http://www.cloverdale.bc.ca/chamber/Bed%20Race%20Application%202009.pdf
May 15: the Cloverdale Chili Cookoff is in the Cloversquare Village at Highway 10 and 177B Street between 4pm and 6pm. Test the chilis and vote for your favorite. Also has live entertainment.
May 16: the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade has the usual parade entries: baton twirlers, bands, floats, clowns, dancers, and horses. Starts at 10am for about 2 hours. Here's a map of the parade route so you can choose where you want to sit. Most people head to 176th Street around 58 Avenue. This route map almost looks like the parade route from 1977 blocking off a couple of lanes on Highway 10 for the parade route. I rode my horse in the parade that year with a friend on a less broke horse and when we got to Highway 10 at 176A Street and the through cars in the adjacent lanes her horse turned around on her. I managed to grab her horse and ponied it along until we got to 176th Street and no more vehicle traffic and she was OK again. Perhaps there are so many entries this year that the extra route is needed. http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/pdf/Rodeo-Parade-2009.pdf
May 15 - 18 the Cloverdale Country Fair and Rodeo. The fairgrounds open on Friday May 15 at 4pm and closes at midnight. Saturday May 16 11am to 1am, Sunday May 17 11am to midnight, and Monday May 18 11am to 5pm. Admission to the fairgrounds is $10. Yikes! It was free when I was a kid. However, you can save a couple of bucks by prepurchasing tickets at the Cloverdale, White Rock, Guildford, and Langley London Drugs for $8. The rodeo performances are on each day. This is an invitation only rodeo where the contestants compete for cash prizes. Cloverdale lost its pro rodeo tour rating when they decided to eliminate various events. For more information on the events and rodeo times see http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com
And that's pretty much it. The May long weekend events being the highlight. The Cloverdale Flea Market is on each Sunday at the fairgrounds, but cancelled on the rodeo weekend. Likewise there is no horse racing at Fraser Downs on that weekend.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Cloverdale rodeo fair and fall fair
Growing up in Cloverdale we had two fairs each year at the fairgrounds. On the long weekend in May it was the rodeo fair. We had a midway with rides and games of chance and food stands with corn dogs and cotton candy and candy apples. The rodeo had the usual events: bull riding, bronc riding, wild cow milking, barrel racing, and chuckwagon races. These were all held in the inner field of what is now the Fraser Downs racetrack. The chuckwagon races went around the outer track, but ended in the mid 1970's when the Standardbred racetrack opened and the track was changed from dirt to limestone.
There used to be an indoor arena on the east side of the parking lot, near 60th Avenue. We'd go in and sit on the bleachers and watch the greased pig contest. This would consist of boys and a few girls, mostly in their early teens, chasing after a greased pig. Whoever caught it got to take it home. Back then Cloverdale was mostly a rural area so probably the lucky kid lived on a farm and had the means to take care of a pig. I can't imagine a kid who lived in a house or apartment would be too popular coming home and opening the burlap sack to show his parents a squeeling bundle of joy.
In mid-September the fall fair was held. It had the midway rides, games, and food set up. The halls were full of farmer's produce competing for the best potato, apple, and other fruits and vegetables. There were other competitions for sewing, art, photography, and other crafts. We'd spend a lot of time wandering the exhibits and admiring the winning entries and the runners up.
That was growing up in the 60's and 70's.
Eventually the fall fair was merged into the rodeo fair held on the May long weekend, combining the rodeo events with the arts and crafts exhibits that compete for prize ribbons. A little too early in the season for farm produce.
Unfortunately eliminating the fall fair cost Cloverdale its small town country fair flavour. Maybe one day this annual event will be resurrected.
We've discovered the Maple Ridge Country Fair held in the Albion fairgrounds each summer. It picks up where Cloverdale left off and is now the place to go for a typical country fair.
There used to be an indoor arena on the east side of the parking lot, near 60th Avenue. We'd go in and sit on the bleachers and watch the greased pig contest. This would consist of boys and a few girls, mostly in their early teens, chasing after a greased pig. Whoever caught it got to take it home. Back then Cloverdale was mostly a rural area so probably the lucky kid lived on a farm and had the means to take care of a pig. I can't imagine a kid who lived in a house or apartment would be too popular coming home and opening the burlap sack to show his parents a squeeling bundle of joy.
In mid-September the fall fair was held. It had the midway rides, games, and food set up. The halls were full of farmer's produce competing for the best potato, apple, and other fruits and vegetables. There were other competitions for sewing, art, photography, and other crafts. We'd spend a lot of time wandering the exhibits and admiring the winning entries and the runners up.
That was growing up in the 60's and 70's.
Eventually the fall fair was merged into the rodeo fair held on the May long weekend, combining the rodeo events with the arts and crafts exhibits that compete for prize ribbons. A little too early in the season for farm produce.
Unfortunately eliminating the fall fair cost Cloverdale its small town country fair flavour. Maybe one day this annual event will be resurrected.
We've discovered the Maple Ridge Country Fair held in the Albion fairgrounds each summer. It picks up where Cloverdale left off and is now the place to go for a typical country fair.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My Small Town - Cloverdale, British Columbia
Growing up I used to hear the term one horse town and I figured that pretty much described where I lived and I owned that horse.
Cloverdale, British Columbia was a small community part of the district of Surrey, about 30 miles from the big city of Vancouver. The main street was about 4 blocks long, part of the Pacific Highway, and big semi trucks rattled through town, using this route to get to the US/Canada truck crossing at the border.
Cloverdale Elementary School was about one mile from out house and a huge hill, Broadway Road, was part of my walk to and from school each day. One mile is a long way for a six year old girl to walk, but walk I did both ways for the seven years I went there, rain or shine, and mostly rain in this part of the country. I sometimes rode my bike, but pushing it up that huge hill was exhausting.
I remember a lot of snow when I was a kid and we’d all go to Broadway with our sleds and toboggans. No car was going to attempt that hill in the snow and icy conditions. Especially not confronted with a couple of dozen kids careening down the hill. But again, only one or two trips down and the walk back up in the snow was enough to call it quits. And the local cow fields would flood over in the fall and freeze in the winter and we’d all go ice skating out there. The worst thing that could happen if the ice was too thin and we’d break through standing ankle or shin deep in water.
Friday after school was my favourite time and I’d accompany my mother grocery shopping at the Co-op. This was a two story building with groceries on the first floor and a flight of stairs up the second floor for the hardware and clothing. And the building behind was the Co-op’s feed store where I’d buy oats for my horses when I got a little older.
A typical little sixties town with assorted stores: a five and dime, a couple of clothing stores, a couple of shoe stores, a jewellery store, a delicatessen, a few diners, the Clover Inn with a restaurant and lounge, and the Clova Theatre where we often went on Saturday matinees. Dann’s bicycle and appliance store is still operating in Cloverdale, for over fifty years. The Clova is still running too. The five and dime has long since closed as have most of the other business, many replaced by antique stores for awhile, and now assorted other businesses, many that don’t stick around too long. The bowling alley, Clover Lanes, has been there as long as I can remember. In the late 60’s or early 70’s Aaron’s Pizza opened just off the main street. Kind of a competition to the Shakey’s Pizza parlours with its picnic tables and casual dining. Aaron’s is still there, but the picnic tables have been replaced by family seating and they still serve pizzas along with pastas and other meals.
Cloverdale was always known for its rodeo held on the long weekend in May. For a time it was the 2nd largest rodeo in Canada, behind the Calgary Stampede, then it became the 3rd largest. I’m not sure what its status is now. It lost its ranking with the pro circuit because it no longer allows some events, particularly those that deal with tying calves. But every long weekend in May Cloverdale was transformed from a sleepy little town to a whoop hollering party town carnival. It was a good weekend to get out of town.
And then in 1975 the harness horse racing came to town, using the fairgrounds, and Cloverdale no longer was known as a one horse town with hundreds of Standardbreds calling it home. Horse racing was huge back in the 1980’s. Cars lined way out of town on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. And the horses also raced on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. These days with so many casinos around and other entertainment venues horse racing has dwindled to 7 or 8 months a year on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The racetrack even converted over to a casino, Fraser Downs its now known as. The casino is the main form of revenue.
When I was growing up and a new neighbour moved in the neighbors would all come over with baking and to introduce themselves. When I was going to school I knew almost everybody and their brothers and sisters too, if not by face, then by name. Walking down the main street of Cloverdale always meant banging into someone I knew.
But nobody does that anymore. Cloverdale outgrew itself. But the small town atmosphere still kind of remains. This is home to Smallville and often the TV cameras and crew will have part of a street blocked off for filming. Likewise with other movie and TV projects that want a small town look. A few years ago in August Coca Cola filmed a commercial here that was a snowy Christmas theme and they trucked in snow to the streets and sidewalks. Several semi trucks decked out in Christmas lights are featured driving through town and a boy is racing across the fields yelling the Santa trucks are coming.
And maybe they’ll be back someday. Or maybe they'll find a real small town out there....
Cloverdale, British Columbia was a small community part of the district of Surrey, about 30 miles from the big city of Vancouver. The main street was about 4 blocks long, part of the Pacific Highway, and big semi trucks rattled through town, using this route to get to the US/Canada truck crossing at the border.
Cloverdale Elementary School was about one mile from out house and a huge hill, Broadway Road, was part of my walk to and from school each day. One mile is a long way for a six year old girl to walk, but walk I did both ways for the seven years I went there, rain or shine, and mostly rain in this part of the country. I sometimes rode my bike, but pushing it up that huge hill was exhausting.
I remember a lot of snow when I was a kid and we’d all go to Broadway with our sleds and toboggans. No car was going to attempt that hill in the snow and icy conditions. Especially not confronted with a couple of dozen kids careening down the hill. But again, only one or two trips down and the walk back up in the snow was enough to call it quits. And the local cow fields would flood over in the fall and freeze in the winter and we’d all go ice skating out there. The worst thing that could happen if the ice was too thin and we’d break through standing ankle or shin deep in water.
Friday after school was my favourite time and I’d accompany my mother grocery shopping at the Co-op. This was a two story building with groceries on the first floor and a flight of stairs up the second floor for the hardware and clothing. And the building behind was the Co-op’s feed store where I’d buy oats for my horses when I got a little older.
A typical little sixties town with assorted stores: a five and dime, a couple of clothing stores, a couple of shoe stores, a jewellery store, a delicatessen, a few diners, the Clover Inn with a restaurant and lounge, and the Clova Theatre where we often went on Saturday matinees. Dann’s bicycle and appliance store is still operating in Cloverdale, for over fifty years. The Clova is still running too. The five and dime has long since closed as have most of the other business, many replaced by antique stores for awhile, and now assorted other businesses, many that don’t stick around too long. The bowling alley, Clover Lanes, has been there as long as I can remember. In the late 60’s or early 70’s Aaron’s Pizza opened just off the main street. Kind of a competition to the Shakey’s Pizza parlours with its picnic tables and casual dining. Aaron’s is still there, but the picnic tables have been replaced by family seating and they still serve pizzas along with pastas and other meals.
Cloverdale was always known for its rodeo held on the long weekend in May. For a time it was the 2nd largest rodeo in Canada, behind the Calgary Stampede, then it became the 3rd largest. I’m not sure what its status is now. It lost its ranking with the pro circuit because it no longer allows some events, particularly those that deal with tying calves. But every long weekend in May Cloverdale was transformed from a sleepy little town to a whoop hollering party town carnival. It was a good weekend to get out of town.
And then in 1975 the harness horse racing came to town, using the fairgrounds, and Cloverdale no longer was known as a one horse town with hundreds of Standardbreds calling it home. Horse racing was huge back in the 1980’s. Cars lined way out of town on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. And the horses also raced on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. These days with so many casinos around and other entertainment venues horse racing has dwindled to 7 or 8 months a year on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The racetrack even converted over to a casino, Fraser Downs its now known as. The casino is the main form of revenue.
When I was growing up and a new neighbour moved in the neighbors would all come over with baking and to introduce themselves. When I was going to school I knew almost everybody and their brothers and sisters too, if not by face, then by name. Walking down the main street of Cloverdale always meant banging into someone I knew.
But nobody does that anymore. Cloverdale outgrew itself. But the small town atmosphere still kind of remains. This is home to Smallville and often the TV cameras and crew will have part of a street blocked off for filming. Likewise with other movie and TV projects that want a small town look. A few years ago in August Coca Cola filmed a commercial here that was a snowy Christmas theme and they trucked in snow to the streets and sidewalks. Several semi trucks decked out in Christmas lights are featured driving through town and a boy is racing across the fields yelling the Santa trucks are coming.
And maybe they’ll be back someday. Or maybe they'll find a real small town out there....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)