The Surrey Night Market will be starting this weekend, Friday July 5, 2014 running Friday and Saturday nights ending August 30, 2014.
The Surrey Night Market will be held in Cloverdale on 62nd Avenue, accessed only from 176th Street, the north end of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Head towards the Agriplex, across the street from the backstretch of Fraser Downs.
There is lots of parking in the fairgrounds but no parking in the backstretch or the rec centre.
The Surrey Night Market will have lots of food vendors and other vendors. There will also be entertainers. The market is open from 6pm to 11pm and admission is $2.
For more information see their website. http://surreynightmarket.com/
Showing posts with label Cloverdale fairgrounds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloverdale fairgrounds. Show all posts
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Cloverdale Canada Day Party July 1 2014
Once again Cloverdale is hosting Surrey's big Canada Day bash at the Millennium Park on the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue.
The festivities start at 10am and continue until 10:30pm or until the fireworks end.
There'll be performers and amusement park rides and other activities going on all day. For more information, see Surrey's Canada Day web page http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
With 100,000 attendees showing up at past Canada Day celebrations, the best option is to walk if you live close enough. Or take transit. For everyone else, the big question is where to park. The most convenient place is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, parking lot entrances off 60th Avenue between 176th and 177B Streets. They open up the racetrack for lots more parking. Even with hundreds of parking spots available on the grounds, they'll probably all be spoken for by mid-day. Parking is free. Other parking options are the residential streets west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School is open but mostly the people parking there are the ones catching the fireworks at the end of the day.
Whatever you do, don't park in the Cloverdale Crossing Shopping Centre on 64th Avenue across the street from the park. The mall puts up signs at the entrances warning people not to leave their cars there to attend events or they'll be towed. The mall hires security guards who watch where people go when they get out of their cars. If you go to a business to buy something, no problem. If you park and walk across the street to the Canada Day celebrations, you might be hiring a taxi for the drive home.
Happy Canada Day everyone!
The festivities start at 10am and continue until 10:30pm or until the fireworks end.
There'll be performers and amusement park rides and other activities going on all day. For more information, see Surrey's Canada Day web page http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
With 100,000 attendees showing up at past Canada Day celebrations, the best option is to walk if you live close enough. Or take transit. For everyone else, the big question is where to park. The most convenient place is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, parking lot entrances off 60th Avenue between 176th and 177B Streets. They open up the racetrack for lots more parking. Even with hundreds of parking spots available on the grounds, they'll probably all be spoken for by mid-day. Parking is free. Other parking options are the residential streets west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School is open but mostly the people parking there are the ones catching the fireworks at the end of the day.
Whatever you do, don't park in the Cloverdale Crossing Shopping Centre on 64th Avenue across the street from the park. The mall puts up signs at the entrances warning people not to leave their cars there to attend events or they'll be towed. The mall hires security guards who watch where people go when they get out of their cars. If you go to a business to buy something, no problem. If you park and walk across the street to the Canada Day celebrations, you might be hiring a taxi for the drive home.
Happy Canada Day everyone!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Parking in Cloverdale during May 2014 Rodeo Weekend
Here's the scoop on parking around Cloverdale during the rodeo weekend May 16 - 19, 2014.
The huge parking lot at the former Cloverdale Mall is no more. The area has been fenced in for construction. There are about 100 parking spots in the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion, the last of the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. However the Legion is holding pancake breakfasts and barbecues all weekend and won't be too impressed if people park there and aren't coming inside to eat.
The first suggestion is to pay $10 and park at the Cloverdale fairgrounds. That gives you a close walk to the fair and the rodeo. Get there early. Last year drivers refused to believe the fairgrounds parking lot was full and kept getting into the left hand turn lane on 60th Avenue and trying to convince the lot attendant to let them in.
Also try Greenaway Park next to the fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and park there for free. The gates are locked at dusk so get back to your car by then or look for another way home.
Another choice is to park on residential streets around Cloverdale. That'll be a longer walk but parking is free. Keep an eye on the parking signs. Downtown Cloverdale is a maximum of 2 hours and there are a few no parking areas around town. The parking bylaw officers are in full force in Cloverdale this weekend. Huge payday for them because people park where they shouldn't be. The most popular parking spots are everything in-between 176A Street and 180th Street and 56A Avenue to 59th Avenue.
Cloverdale has a few free public parking lots. One is located on 56A Avenue just west of 176th Street, in the alley behind the firehall. There's about 60 parking spots here. On 176A Street just north of 57th Avenue, behind the Clova and next to the Bank of Montreal is a large parking lot. A couple hundred spots available here. A little further down 176A Street on the corner of 58A Avenue is another parking lot with about 100 or so parking spots.
On Saturday morning the streets between 176A Street and 177B Street 56A Avenue to 58A Avenue are temporarily closed from 6am to noon for the parade participants to set up. After noon they are up for grabs the rest of the weekend. 176th Street is closed during these times because of the parade route. Tow trucks are standing near by and I always see a couple of cars being towed off this street. Not a good idea to park here the rest of the weekend anyway because its 2 hour parking.
There is a lot of street parking in residential areas west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The problem with this subdivision is if you're not familiar with it, it twists and turns and cul-de-sac's all over the place.
Some residents offer parking in their driveways and front lawns for a few bucks and some of the local churches also sell parking spots.
Don't even think about parking in the Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue and 176th Street. They have security guards watching all weekend. If you park and walk off the premises they'll call a tow truck. They watch real closely to make sure everyone who parks a car goes into one of the businesses there.
Cloverdale Rodeo May 2014
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Parking around Cloverdale for Parade and Rodeo
Here's the scoop on parking around Cloverdale during the rodeo weekend May 17 - 20, 2013.
The big news is the huge parking lot at the former Cloverdale Mall is no more. The area has been fenced in for construction. There are about 100 parking spots in the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion, the last of the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. However the Legion is holding pancake breakfasts and barbecues all weekend and won't be too impressed if people park there and aren't coming inside to eat.
The first suggestion is to pay $10 and park at the Cloverdale fairgrounds. That gives you a close walk to the fair and the rodeo.
Also try Greenaway Park next to the fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and park there for free. The gates are locked at dusk so get back to your car by then or look for another way home.
Another is to park on residential streets around Cloverdale. That'll be a longer walk but parking is free. Keep an eye on the parking signs. Downtown Cloverdale is a maximum of 2 hours and there are a few no parking areas around town. The parking bylaw officers are in full force in Cloverdale this weekend. Huge payday for them because people park where they shouldn't be. The most popular parking spots are everything in-between 176A Street and 180th Street and 56A Avenue to 59th Avenue.
Cloverdale has a few free public parking lots. One is located on 56A Avenue just west of 176th Street, in the alley behind the firehall. There's about 60 parking spots here. On 176A Street just north of 57th Avenue, behind the Clova and next to the Bank of Montreal is a large parking lot. A couple hundred spots available here. A little further down 176A Street on the corner of 58A Avenue is another parking lot with about 100 or so parking spots.
There are a few spots available in the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot just off 58th Avenue, closer to the Cloverdale Bypass. Enter off 58th and there are about 15 parking spots here. A little further up, enter from the alley behind the Cloverdale Supermarket is about 30 more parking spots. Get here by 8am on Saturday May 18th if you're planning to watch the parade. Unless its raining, all the parking spots close to 176th Street go early.
On Saturday morning the streets between 176A Street and 177B Street 56A Avenue to 58A Avenue are temporarily closed from 6am to noon for the parade participants to set up. After noon they are up for grabs the rest of the weekend. 176th Street is closed during these times because of the parade route. Tow trucks are standing near by and I always see a couple of cars being towed off this street. Not a good idea to park here the rest of the weekend anyway because its 2 hour parking.
There is a lot of street parking in residential areas west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The problem with this subdivision is if you're not familiar with it, it twists and turns and cul-de-sac's all over the place.
Some residents offer parking in their driveways and front lawns for a few bucks and some of the local churches also sell parking spots.
I checked with the rodeo's general manager to see if the motorbikes are getting free parking this year and the answer is no.
Don't even think about parking in the Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue and 176th Street. They have security guards watching all weekend. If you park and walk off the premises they'll call a tow truck. They watch real closely to make sure everyone who parks a car goes into one of the businesses there.
The big news is the huge parking lot at the former Cloverdale Mall is no more. The area has been fenced in for construction. There are about 100 parking spots in the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion, the last of the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. However the Legion is holding pancake breakfasts and barbecues all weekend and won't be too impressed if people park there and aren't coming inside to eat.
The first suggestion is to pay $10 and park at the Cloverdale fairgrounds. That gives you a close walk to the fair and the rodeo.
Also try Greenaway Park next to the fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and park there for free. The gates are locked at dusk so get back to your car by then or look for another way home.
Another is to park on residential streets around Cloverdale. That'll be a longer walk but parking is free. Keep an eye on the parking signs. Downtown Cloverdale is a maximum of 2 hours and there are a few no parking areas around town. The parking bylaw officers are in full force in Cloverdale this weekend. Huge payday for them because people park where they shouldn't be. The most popular parking spots are everything in-between 176A Street and 180th Street and 56A Avenue to 59th Avenue.
Cloverdale has a few free public parking lots. One is located on 56A Avenue just west of 176th Street, in the alley behind the firehall. There's about 60 parking spots here. On 176A Street just north of 57th Avenue, behind the Clova and next to the Bank of Montreal is a large parking lot. A couple hundred spots available here. A little further down 176A Street on the corner of 58A Avenue is another parking lot with about 100 or so parking spots.
There are a few spots available in the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot just off 58th Avenue, closer to the Cloverdale Bypass. Enter off 58th and there are about 15 parking spots here. A little further up, enter from the alley behind the Cloverdale Supermarket is about 30 more parking spots. Get here by 8am on Saturday May 18th if you're planning to watch the parade. Unless its raining, all the parking spots close to 176th Street go early.
On Saturday morning the streets between 176A Street and 177B Street 56A Avenue to 58A Avenue are temporarily closed from 6am to noon for the parade participants to set up. After noon they are up for grabs the rest of the weekend. 176th Street is closed during these times because of the parade route. Tow trucks are standing near by and I always see a couple of cars being towed off this street. Not a good idea to park here the rest of the weekend anyway because its 2 hour parking.
There is a lot of street parking in residential areas west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The problem with this subdivision is if you're not familiar with it, it twists and turns and cul-de-sac's all over the place.
Some residents offer parking in their driveways and front lawns for a few bucks and some of the local churches also sell parking spots.
I checked with the rodeo's general manager to see if the motorbikes are getting free parking this year and the answer is no.
Don't even think about parking in the Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue and 176th Street. They have security guards watching all weekend. If you park and walk off the premises they'll call a tow truck. They watch real closely to make sure everyone who parks a car goes into one of the businesses there.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Santa Parade of Lights on Sunday December 2, 2012
The Christmas lights are starting to go up around Cloverdale and you know what that means. The Santa Parade is almost here!
The Santa Parade of Lights is on Sunday, December 2, 2012 and starts around 5pm out of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on 60th Avenue. The parade will go down 176A Street, turn west on 58A Avenue and then along 176thStreet. It sort of peters out at 57th Avenue and the trucks and floats head onto the Cloverdale Bypass and they’re gone. Probably back to the staging area at the fairgrounds for take down.
Here’s the scoop on parking. Get to Cloverdale no later than 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. Streets are being closed and you will end up in a traffic nightmare trying to find a way out and a place to park. The old (demolished) Cloverdale Mall site still has plenty of parking. Access the parking lot from 57th Avenue off the Cloverdale Bypass. You can also try to access it off the Cloverdale Bypass at 58th Avenue but no telling when the volunteers will shut down 58th. There is on street parking on 56A Avenue, 57th Avenue, and 58th Avenue east of 176A Street. There is on street parking on 177B Street. There are 2 public parking lots on 176A Street – one near 58A Avenue, the other at the backside of the Clova Theatre, between 57th and 58th Avenues next to the Bank of Montreal.
For viewing, the best place if you want to see Santa Claus light up the Christmas tree on top of the Dale Building is around Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, midway between 57th and 58thAvenues. 176th Street is crowded with the most spectators. I like to watch the parade on 58A Avenue where its less crowded. At least until the people searching for a spot on 176th Street discover its got lots of openings, and then it gets jammed. If there are too many people, head north along 176A Street to find a good viewing spot.
Bring a non-perishable item. Volunteers from the food bank will be picking up donations.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Cloverdale Fairgrounds Setting Up for May Long Weekend
I was at Clover Crossing Mall a couple of days ago and a couple of young men were walking in my direction. One of them asked me where the 7-11 was. I told them it was 4 blocks away on the corner of 60th Avenue. One fellow asked if that was on the other side of the fairgrounds and I said yes. Then he said he knew they'd walked the wrong way. He said they were with the carnival and setting up. It was really hot on Monday, my car said 27C. They looked like they needed slurpees so I suggested if that was what they were looking for they should try the Chevron gas station on the corner because I thought they might have a machine. They thanked me for the tip and said all they knew was 7-11.
Its kind of a tough life for people who work for West Coast Amusements constantly on the move, setting up midway rides and gaming booths, taking them down, and then moving to the next town.
West Coast Amusements used to be set up and ready to go for the Cloverdale Rodeo by Friday night. That was pretty much teenagers flocking there and going on the rides. Back in those days there used to be free admission to get onto the fairgrounds. However the fall fair in September did charge for fairgrounds admission. Now that's they've cancelled the fall fair and combined the two events for the May long weekend, they charge admission to the fairgrounds.
I really enjoyed going on the rides when I was younger. I still do! I liked the tilt a whirl and the octopus. I like rides that spin! Unfortunately Kerry can not take spinning rides so I don't usually go on them any more. He likes the ferris wheel and I went on that with him but he decided it would be fun to rock the coach we were in and really got it swinging. I've seen too many news stories about people falling out of ferris wheels and I wasn't too happy about that so I skip the ferris wheel now too.
Admission to the Cloverdale fairgrounds is $12 but tickets can be purchased at London Drugs for $10.
Its kind of a tough life for people who work for West Coast Amusements constantly on the move, setting up midway rides and gaming booths, taking them down, and then moving to the next town.
West Coast Amusements used to be set up and ready to go for the Cloverdale Rodeo by Friday night. That was pretty much teenagers flocking there and going on the rides. Back in those days there used to be free admission to get onto the fairgrounds. However the fall fair in September did charge for fairgrounds admission. Now that's they've cancelled the fall fair and combined the two events for the May long weekend, they charge admission to the fairgrounds.
I really enjoyed going on the rides when I was younger. I still do! I liked the tilt a whirl and the octopus. I like rides that spin! Unfortunately Kerry can not take spinning rides so I don't usually go on them any more. He likes the ferris wheel and I went on that with him but he decided it would be fun to rock the coach we were in and really got it swinging. I've seen too many news stories about people falling out of ferris wheels and I wasn't too happy about that so I skip the ferris wheel now too.
Admission to the Cloverdale fairgrounds is $12 but tickets can be purchased at London Drugs for $10.
Friday, December 30, 2011
New Year's Eve in Cloverdale?
What is there to do in New Year's Eve in Cloverdale?
Not too much.
The last big Cloverdale New Year's event was on the Millenium, a party at the fairgrounds. 50,000 people expected but the reality was closer to 5,000.
Fraser Downs is hosting a buffet from 7pm to 9pm and a live DJ from 10pm to 1am. That kind of leaves an hour in there to kill. Casino anyone? There is a hockey game on, though times not specified, but it will be on their big screen TVs. Cost is $39.95. Reservations required. Phone 604-575-5603. Fraser Downs is located in the fairgrounds off 60th Avenue and the lights at 177B Street.
The Cloverdale Legion (17567 57th Ave) is holding a New Year's Eve dinner and dance beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $50 and are on sale at the bar in the legion.
Not too much.
The last big Cloverdale New Year's event was on the Millenium, a party at the fairgrounds. 50,000 people expected but the reality was closer to 5,000.
Fraser Downs is hosting a buffet from 7pm to 9pm and a live DJ from 10pm to 1am. That kind of leaves an hour in there to kill. Casino anyone? There is a hockey game on, though times not specified, but it will be on their big screen TVs. Cost is $39.95. Reservations required. Phone 604-575-5603. Fraser Downs is located in the fairgrounds off 60th Avenue and the lights at 177B Street.
The Cloverdale Legion (17567 57th Ave) is holding a New Year's Eve dinner and dance beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $50 and are on sale at the bar in the legion.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Santa's Parade of Lights Sunday December 4 2011
Cloverdale's Santa Parade of Lights will be on Sunday December 4 2011 starting at 5pm and lasting until about 6:30pm depending on where you're standing on the route.
The parade starts at the parking lot in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and 176A Street. It goes down 176A Street and then turns west down 58A Avenue to 176th Street and proceeds along there. I think it ends at 57th Avenue and they head west up to the Cloverdale Bypass. I know I see the vehicles whipping as fast as they can go along the bypass back to the fairgrounds.
As for weather conditions - I've been out there in pretty bitter cold wind. The only time the parade was cancelled was when it snowed a few years ago. We still wandered down but clearly nothing was happening.
The parade features a lot of trucks that come over from Vancouver Island brightly decorated in Christmas lights. A lot of local business are in the parade too with decorated cars and trucks and last year there were some horses from Fraser Downs that participated.
There will be various vendors set up along the parade route and in Hawthorne Square on 176th selling food like hot dogs and hot chocolate.
They'll be collecting donations for the Surrey Food Bank and the Christmas Bureau so remember to bring some non perishable food items with you if you're planning to attend.
The parade starts at the parking lot in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and 176A Street. It goes down 176A Street and then turns west down 58A Avenue to 176th Street and proceeds along there. I think it ends at 57th Avenue and they head west up to the Cloverdale Bypass. I know I see the vehicles whipping as fast as they can go along the bypass back to the fairgrounds.
As for weather conditions - I've been out there in pretty bitter cold wind. The only time the parade was cancelled was when it snowed a few years ago. We still wandered down but clearly nothing was happening.
The parade features a lot of trucks that come over from Vancouver Island brightly decorated in Christmas lights. A lot of local business are in the parade too with decorated cars and trucks and last year there were some horses from Fraser Downs that participated.
There will be various vendors set up along the parade route and in Hawthorne Square on 176th selling food like hot dogs and hot chocolate.
They'll be collecting donations for the Surrey Food Bank and the Christmas Bureau so remember to bring some non perishable food items with you if you're planning to attend.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Thoughts on Cloverdale's Canada Day 2011 Celebration
For the most part I stayed away from the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street on Canada Day. I heard the speakers and singers but it was too muffled for me to hear what was being said or sung clearly.
We wandered over to the Millenium Park around 8:30pm. When we got to the corner of 176th Street and 60th Avenue there were several traffic control people assisting pedestrians on the crosswalks. Traffic was still going through in all directions.
When we walked past the bus stop near the senior's centre there was a notice on it that there would be no bus service on July 1 between 10pm and 11pm but I don't recall where it said it was being rerouted.
There were also traffic control flag people on the intersection at 62nd Avenue.
We got in and found a spot in the park - standing - shortly before Trooper came onstage.
Now I like Trooper. I bought their Hot Shots album back in 1979 or 1980 whenever it came out. I've heard them before at the Maple Ridge fairgrounds about 5 years ago. I remember when I was younger and they had paper signs posted on telephone poles around Cloverdale advertising they'd be playing a concert at Lord Tweedsmuir or in one of the community halls in the fairgrounds. These are local guys from White Rock and Langley.
On Canada Day they were off. It took the sound team about halfway through the first song to figure out the lead singer's microphone wasn't working. Then they got it sorted out. It might have been better to leave it as it was. That singer just was not good. Out of tune. Or maybe his vocal cords have changed as he got older and he's not the singer he used to be. Maybe the sound system wasn't so good in a park that size. I don't know. I was disappointed after really enjoying them before.
Of course they wait until near the end of their set to play their big songs. We had already moved well back in the park by 10pm so we could get a quick exit. They finally played The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car. Off, off, off. Very sad. Just when you think it can't get any worse they bring Mayor Diane Watts onstage to sing Raise A Little Hell with them. No thanks. Very bad. We left.
Now it gets interesting when we make our way back to 176th Street. Traffic has been stopped between 60th and 64th Avenues. There are police vehicles at both these intersections blocking any traffic from entering this area. Conceivably people can drive out again because a lot of people have parked their cars in parking spaces accessed from 62nd Avenue. The flag people at that intersection were not doing a good job. They would not let any pedestrians cross at the intersection, on the north side that is. All everyone did was go to the south side and push the button. Not that they really had to push the button seeing as how no traffic was coming down 176th.
We walked on and got to the bus stop. 2 men were sitting on the bench. We asked if they were waiting for a bus. They were. We pointed out that someone had ripped the reroute sign off the bus post and said there was no service until after 11pm. They thanked us and asked if we knew where they could catch the bus. I said to try the bus stop about a block south or they might have to go to 58th Avenue.
Interesting at 60th Avenue. Not only was traffic not allowed northbound on 176th Street but no traffic was allowed east on 60th Avenue from 176th Street to at least the lights on 177B Street. Maybe all the way to Greenaway Park to get past the fairgrounds. I'm not sure. All I could see was that 60th Avenue was closed for aways. Again presumably to keep traffic out of the area while cars and pedestrians were leaving the Canada Day celebrations.
The flag people were making all traffic on 176th Street turn west down 60th.
Around this time a police car with its lights and siren on goes flying past us from the Millenium Park and heading toward Highway 10. A few minutes later on our walk we see the police car has stopped at the lights at the interesection of the former Cloverdale Mall. Its a little confusing. It is now the Cloverdale Bypass and if you head west the avenue is 58A and if you head east the avenue is 58th. Bottom line now the cop has stopped all traffic from continuing north on the Bypass/176th Street and the cars have to turn either right into downtown Cloverdale or left into subdivision hell.
That was where we were walking. Interesting how many cars took the subdivision hell option. They screamed down 175th Street to the Catholic Church and then like a bunch of rats jumping off a sinking ship they all followed each other to the right which dead ends into an alley that goes out at 60th Avenue. The problem is you can not turn left onto 6oth because there is a cement median blocking the turn. The only option from the alley is to turn right on 60th and find yourself a few feet away from the lights at 60th and 176th Street. Remember? The intersection that is blocked off for traffic going north on 176th and blocked off east on 60th. All these subdivision hell bound cars could do was turn right back down 176th and the Cloverdale Bypass. Right back where they started from. Didn't gain a whole lot doing that did they?
Now the fireworks start. We sort of walked backwards on the way home and enjoyed them. The fireworks stopped just before we got home.
And there you have it. My assessment of the last couple hours of Surrey's Canada Day Celebrations. The most interesting part of the night was caused by the street closures around the fairgrounds.
We wandered over to the Millenium Park around 8:30pm. When we got to the corner of 176th Street and 60th Avenue there were several traffic control people assisting pedestrians on the crosswalks. Traffic was still going through in all directions.
When we walked past the bus stop near the senior's centre there was a notice on it that there would be no bus service on July 1 between 10pm and 11pm but I don't recall where it said it was being rerouted.
There were also traffic control flag people on the intersection at 62nd Avenue.
We got in and found a spot in the park - standing - shortly before Trooper came onstage.
Now I like Trooper. I bought their Hot Shots album back in 1979 or 1980 whenever it came out. I've heard them before at the Maple Ridge fairgrounds about 5 years ago. I remember when I was younger and they had paper signs posted on telephone poles around Cloverdale advertising they'd be playing a concert at Lord Tweedsmuir or in one of the community halls in the fairgrounds. These are local guys from White Rock and Langley.
On Canada Day they were off. It took the sound team about halfway through the first song to figure out the lead singer's microphone wasn't working. Then they got it sorted out. It might have been better to leave it as it was. That singer just was not good. Out of tune. Or maybe his vocal cords have changed as he got older and he's not the singer he used to be. Maybe the sound system wasn't so good in a park that size. I don't know. I was disappointed after really enjoying them before.
Of course they wait until near the end of their set to play their big songs. We had already moved well back in the park by 10pm so we could get a quick exit. They finally played The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car. Off, off, off. Very sad. Just when you think it can't get any worse they bring Mayor Diane Watts onstage to sing Raise A Little Hell with them. No thanks. Very bad. We left.
Now it gets interesting when we make our way back to 176th Street. Traffic has been stopped between 60th and 64th Avenues. There are police vehicles at both these intersections blocking any traffic from entering this area. Conceivably people can drive out again because a lot of people have parked their cars in parking spaces accessed from 62nd Avenue. The flag people at that intersection were not doing a good job. They would not let any pedestrians cross at the intersection, on the north side that is. All everyone did was go to the south side and push the button. Not that they really had to push the button seeing as how no traffic was coming down 176th.
We walked on and got to the bus stop. 2 men were sitting on the bench. We asked if they were waiting for a bus. They were. We pointed out that someone had ripped the reroute sign off the bus post and said there was no service until after 11pm. They thanked us and asked if we knew where they could catch the bus. I said to try the bus stop about a block south or they might have to go to 58th Avenue.
Interesting at 60th Avenue. Not only was traffic not allowed northbound on 176th Street but no traffic was allowed east on 60th Avenue from 176th Street to at least the lights on 177B Street. Maybe all the way to Greenaway Park to get past the fairgrounds. I'm not sure. All I could see was that 60th Avenue was closed for aways. Again presumably to keep traffic out of the area while cars and pedestrians were leaving the Canada Day celebrations.
The flag people were making all traffic on 176th Street turn west down 60th.
Around this time a police car with its lights and siren on goes flying past us from the Millenium Park and heading toward Highway 10. A few minutes later on our walk we see the police car has stopped at the lights at the interesection of the former Cloverdale Mall. Its a little confusing. It is now the Cloverdale Bypass and if you head west the avenue is 58A and if you head east the avenue is 58th. Bottom line now the cop has stopped all traffic from continuing north on the Bypass/176th Street and the cars have to turn either right into downtown Cloverdale or left into subdivision hell.
That was where we were walking. Interesting how many cars took the subdivision hell option. They screamed down 175th Street to the Catholic Church and then like a bunch of rats jumping off a sinking ship they all followed each other to the right which dead ends into an alley that goes out at 60th Avenue. The problem is you can not turn left onto 6oth because there is a cement median blocking the turn. The only option from the alley is to turn right on 60th and find yourself a few feet away from the lights at 60th and 176th Street. Remember? The intersection that is blocked off for traffic going north on 176th and blocked off east on 60th. All these subdivision hell bound cars could do was turn right back down 176th and the Cloverdale Bypass. Right back where they started from. Didn't gain a whole lot doing that did they?
Now the fireworks start. We sort of walked backwards on the way home and enjoyed them. The fireworks stopped just before we got home.
And there you have it. My assessment of the last couple hours of Surrey's Canada Day Celebrations. The most interesting part of the night was caused by the street closures around the fairgrounds.
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