Let me just start off with the sad news. Cloverdale will not be hosting a blueberry festival in 2015.
This news was broken by the Cloverdale business association a few months ago due to lack of sponsors and lack of funds. There has been no update that it's back on.
In the past, the Cloverdale Blueberry Festival is held early August with the main attraction a Show 'n' Shine. I love seeing those classic cars!
It also has entertainers, pie eating contest, and vendors with produce for sale.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for next year.
Showing posts with label blueberries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blueberries. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Cloverdale Blueberry Festival August 10, 2013
The annual Cloverdale Blueberry Festival is on again for its 10th year on August 10, 2013 from 9am to 4pm. 176th Street and 176A Street will be closed from approximately 58A Avenue to Highway 10.
The Show 'n' Shine will be mostly on 176th Street featuring antique and custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There will be entertainers set up on a stage across from Hawthorne Square - on 176th Street between 57th and 58th Avenues - performing all day. There'll be a blueberry pie eating contest at 10am and 11am. There's an art festival taking place at the Surrey Museum (56A Avenue between 176A and 177B Street) with entertainers performing throughout the day here too. The Cloverdale Lions Club will be selling blueberry pancakes in Hawthorne Square from 8am to 10:30am and vendors will be set up on 56A Avenue and 176th Street.
Just walk around downtown Cloverdale and you'll see everything.
As for parking, seeing as how the old Cloverdale Mall is fenced off, try parking in the Cloverdale Legion's parking lot on 57th Avenue between the Cloverdale Bypass and 176th Street. There is public parking lots just off 56A Avenue in the alley behind 176th Street near the firehall behind 57th Avenue. Other public parking lots are on 176A Street but they might be blocked off to traffic due to festivities. Look for parking on the residential streets 177B Street and on the avenues between 176A Street and 177B.
The Show 'n' Shine will be mostly on 176th Street featuring antique and custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There will be entertainers set up on a stage across from Hawthorne Square - on 176th Street between 57th and 58th Avenues - performing all day. There'll be a blueberry pie eating contest at 10am and 11am. There's an art festival taking place at the Surrey Museum (56A Avenue between 176A and 177B Street) with entertainers performing throughout the day here too. The Cloverdale Lions Club will be selling blueberry pancakes in Hawthorne Square from 8am to 10:30am and vendors will be set up on 56A Avenue and 176th Street.
Just walk around downtown Cloverdale and you'll see everything.
As for parking, seeing as how the old Cloverdale Mall is fenced off, try parking in the Cloverdale Legion's parking lot on 57th Avenue between the Cloverdale Bypass and 176th Street. There is public parking lots just off 56A Avenue in the alley behind 176th Street near the firehall behind 57th Avenue. Other public parking lots are on 176A Street but they might be blocked off to traffic due to festivities. Look for parking on the residential streets 177B Street and on the avenues between 176A Street and 177B.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Cloverdale Blueberry Festival August 4, 2012
The Cloverdale Blueberry Festival will be held on Saturday August 4, 2012 between 9am and 4pm.
There are a variety of events going on in Cloverdale but a big draw is the Show and Shine. Come out to see antique and classic cars, trucks, and motorbikes. They will be parked on 176th Street between 58A Avenue and Highway 10. In other words this entire stretch of 176th Street will be closed off to regular vehicle traffic due to the large amount of pedestrians.
Last year the stage was set up across the street from the Cloverdale Learning Centre/Hawthorne Square and musical acts were performing.
There are a variety of events taking place on 176th and 176A such as the blueberry pie eating contest and BMX bike display. There will be vendors selling produce and crafts.
The free trolley bus service will be back to transport people between the various venues.
Looking for parking? Try the parts of the old Cloverdale Mall that still have space for cars to park. If you're on the Cloverdale Bypass, turn on 57th Avenue as if you're heading towards 176th Street and downtown Cloverdale, and then immediately turn left into the old parking lot. There is public parking between 57th and 56A Avenues. Turn into the alley beside the firehall as if you're heading back to Highway 10. There are only about 30 or so parking spots there but there might be places left on 56A Avenue to park. There is parking along 58th Avenue between 176A and heading east. Also along 177B Street and most of the side streets between 58th Avenue and Highway 10. There is also 2 public parking lots on 176A Street. One is on the corner of 58A Avenue, approximately across from the bowling alley. The other is inbetween 57th and 58th Avenues, behind the Clova theatre. Perhaps 100 parking spots between the 2 of them.
There are a variety of events going on in Cloverdale but a big draw is the Show and Shine. Come out to see antique and classic cars, trucks, and motorbikes. They will be parked on 176th Street between 58A Avenue and Highway 10. In other words this entire stretch of 176th Street will be closed off to regular vehicle traffic due to the large amount of pedestrians.
Last year the stage was set up across the street from the Cloverdale Learning Centre/Hawthorne Square and musical acts were performing.
There are a variety of events taking place on 176th and 176A such as the blueberry pie eating contest and BMX bike display. There will be vendors selling produce and crafts.
The free trolley bus service will be back to transport people between the various venues.
Looking for parking? Try the parts of the old Cloverdale Mall that still have space for cars to park. If you're on the Cloverdale Bypass, turn on 57th Avenue as if you're heading towards 176th Street and downtown Cloverdale, and then immediately turn left into the old parking lot. There is public parking between 57th and 56A Avenues. Turn into the alley beside the firehall as if you're heading back to Highway 10. There are only about 30 or so parking spots there but there might be places left on 56A Avenue to park. There is parking along 58th Avenue between 176A and heading east. Also along 177B Street and most of the side streets between 58th Avenue and Highway 10. There is also 2 public parking lots on 176A Street. One is on the corner of 58A Avenue, approximately across from the bowling alley. The other is inbetween 57th and 58th Avenues, behind the Clova theatre. Perhaps 100 parking spots between the 2 of them.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Cloverdale Blueberry Cannons Are Firing
I heard the first blueberry cannons today. At 7:30am. I was already awake so they didn't bother me but it was clearly the same field, must have gone off 10 or 12 times in one minute. Sounded like the farmer was testing the propane cannon and getting it ready. They're only allowed to fire once every 5 minutes so if he's testing it you'd think he could have waited until later in the day. The people who live on the subdivision on the west side of 168th Street above Highway 10 are going to be livid! And a few minutes later I heard the cannons go off 3 more times in rapid succession. Then nothing. Until 8:30pm when I heard a cannon go off several times. I doubt the bylaw has changed in Surrey. Blueberry cannons are supposed be turned off by 8pm.
The blueberry cannons don't bother me. I've been hearing them since 1974 or 1975 when the blueberry fields were around Colebrook Road and 152 Street. Now there are many farms along 168th and 176th and even on Highway 10 where the Maddix Farm used to be, approximately the whole area between the salmon processing plant and 168th Street.
I'd been wondering when they were going to start up again. My blueberries are starting to ripen. I have several varieties so I'll get blueberries on one plant or another until September. I only have a dozen bushes in a raised garden bed and I protect them with nets. No blueberry chomping birds are going to get my berries!
Now's the time we get to be entertained with letters to the local papers complaining of the blueberry cannon noise. One Cloverdale resident had filed a lawsuit against the city of Surrey for not enforcing the bylaws. I'm not sure how that's turned out. Probably not heard yet by a judge. Its pretty hard for bylaws officers to enforce the complaints anyway. If they hear them then they have to track down the right field and the right farmer responsible for the infraction and give them a warning. Sometimes the farmers forget to turn the cannons off at night and I hear them between noon and 3pm when they're supposed to be shut off so clearly farmers do violate the city's bylaws.
I'm amazed at how many blueberry fields have sprung up around Cloverdale in the past 5 years. Incredible boon but it probably drives the price down for the farmers when the supply exceeds the demand. Oh well. I still buy local blueberries and freeze them. The blueberries from my little garden get eaten before I can get them into the house! Love blueberries. Made a pie last week from some I still have leftover in the freezer from last year. I've got to get busy and use them up to make room for this year's berries bound for the freezer.
Yummy!
The blueberry cannons don't bother me. I've been hearing them since 1974 or 1975 when the blueberry fields were around Colebrook Road and 152 Street. Now there are many farms along 168th and 176th and even on Highway 10 where the Maddix Farm used to be, approximately the whole area between the salmon processing plant and 168th Street.
I'd been wondering when they were going to start up again. My blueberries are starting to ripen. I have several varieties so I'll get blueberries on one plant or another until September. I only have a dozen bushes in a raised garden bed and I protect them with nets. No blueberry chomping birds are going to get my berries!
Now's the time we get to be entertained with letters to the local papers complaining of the blueberry cannon noise. One Cloverdale resident had filed a lawsuit against the city of Surrey for not enforcing the bylaws. I'm not sure how that's turned out. Probably not heard yet by a judge. Its pretty hard for bylaws officers to enforce the complaints anyway. If they hear them then they have to track down the right field and the right farmer responsible for the infraction and give them a warning. Sometimes the farmers forget to turn the cannons off at night and I hear them between noon and 3pm when they're supposed to be shut off so clearly farmers do violate the city's bylaws.
I'm amazed at how many blueberry fields have sprung up around Cloverdale in the past 5 years. Incredible boon but it probably drives the price down for the farmers when the supply exceeds the demand. Oh well. I still buy local blueberries and freeze them. The blueberries from my little garden get eaten before I can get them into the house! Love blueberries. Made a pie last week from some I still have leftover in the freezer from last year. I've got to get busy and use them up to make room for this year's berries bound for the freezer.
Yummy!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Man Suing City of Surrey over Blueberry Cannons
There is an article in the Cloverdale Reporter about a Cloverdale resident suing the City of Surrey over failure to conrol the noise from the propane cannons in the blueberry fields, namely the ones in the vicinity of Highway 10 and 168th Street.
Click here for the full article.
This fellow has been one of the more vocal opponents of the noise from the blueberry cannons and he is suing Surrey over their inaction to enforce their own bylaws. I can see how he has a point. Those cannons aren't supposed to be firing between noon and 3pm and I hear them pretty much every day during this time period.
On the other hand the city bylaw officers have to be reasonable people. They can go out to a farm once they've received a complaint and maybe someone will be home maybe not. Though I would think during berry picking season there would be people around. The bylaws officers remind the farm owner of the city's noise bylaws but they want to be nice about it and just inform them of the violation and ask them to comply in the future. That's all it takes. They don't need to be nasty and hand out fines. So whether the bylaw officers are following up on complaints I don't know. I'm sure they keep a log book of their calls and incident reports that they'll have to produce in court.
The thing is I've been hearing those propane cannons in the blueberry fields since 1974. That was when I lived up on the hill on 182 Street. The cannons I heard were on 168th Street and 160th Street and Colebrook Road areas so they can be heard some distance away. I'd say I was living in Cloverdale before blueberry farming even started in the area and before propane cannons came into use and you don't hear me complaining about it even though I was here first. Its just a fact of life when you live in a farming community. Farmers got to do what they got to do to protect their crops. If some farmers think buying or renting propane cannons to scare away the birds works for them then more power to them.
I'm in the camp that believes the birds get used to the noise after awhile and stick around munching on blueberries. That's been my observation since the mid-70's. The best devices to deter birds are nets or predatory birds like hawks. However nets are costly to put up and the nets make it nearly impossible for a farmer to use a blueberry picker machine.
The article says the man suing the city lives in the area of 168th Street and Highway 10. Most of the houses in that area are new. And when I say new I mean built after 1975 long after the propane cannons in the blueberry fields had been established. Certainly some of the houses in this area, the small acreages on Highway 10 and a few houses up 168th Street and some of the offshoot streets have been there since before I was born but the majority of the houses in this area were built after the blueberry fields had been established in Cloverdale. The Cowtown development between 168th Street and 172 Street, roughly between 58th and 60th Avenues was built in the late 70's. The houses west of 168th Street are still being built in those new subdivisions.
It seems unreasonable that anyone who has purchased a house in this area of Cloverdale since after 1970 didn't look around and see there were farms south of Highway 10 in the 168th Street vicinity and figure out that with farms might come unpleasant odors or noise.
Location, location people.
Click here for the full article.
This fellow has been one of the more vocal opponents of the noise from the blueberry cannons and he is suing Surrey over their inaction to enforce their own bylaws. I can see how he has a point. Those cannons aren't supposed to be firing between noon and 3pm and I hear them pretty much every day during this time period.
On the other hand the city bylaw officers have to be reasonable people. They can go out to a farm once they've received a complaint and maybe someone will be home maybe not. Though I would think during berry picking season there would be people around. The bylaws officers remind the farm owner of the city's noise bylaws but they want to be nice about it and just inform them of the violation and ask them to comply in the future. That's all it takes. They don't need to be nasty and hand out fines. So whether the bylaw officers are following up on complaints I don't know. I'm sure they keep a log book of their calls and incident reports that they'll have to produce in court.
The thing is I've been hearing those propane cannons in the blueberry fields since 1974. That was when I lived up on the hill on 182 Street. The cannons I heard were on 168th Street and 160th Street and Colebrook Road areas so they can be heard some distance away. I'd say I was living in Cloverdale before blueberry farming even started in the area and before propane cannons came into use and you don't hear me complaining about it even though I was here first. Its just a fact of life when you live in a farming community. Farmers got to do what they got to do to protect their crops. If some farmers think buying or renting propane cannons to scare away the birds works for them then more power to them.
I'm in the camp that believes the birds get used to the noise after awhile and stick around munching on blueberries. That's been my observation since the mid-70's. The best devices to deter birds are nets or predatory birds like hawks. However nets are costly to put up and the nets make it nearly impossible for a farmer to use a blueberry picker machine.
The article says the man suing the city lives in the area of 168th Street and Highway 10. Most of the houses in that area are new. And when I say new I mean built after 1975 long after the propane cannons in the blueberry fields had been established. Certainly some of the houses in this area, the small acreages on Highway 10 and a few houses up 168th Street and some of the offshoot streets have been there since before I was born but the majority of the houses in this area were built after the blueberry fields had been established in Cloverdale. The Cowtown development between 168th Street and 172 Street, roughly between 58th and 60th Avenues was built in the late 70's. The houses west of 168th Street are still being built in those new subdivisions.
It seems unreasonable that anyone who has purchased a house in this area of Cloverdale since after 1970 didn't look around and see there were farms south of Highway 10 in the 168th Street vicinity and figure out that with farms might come unpleasant odors or noise.
Location, location people.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Blueberry Cannons are Warming Up
I heard the first blueberry cannon of the season yesterday. It was one huge bang. I heard quieter bangs a few more times yesterday and figured one of the local farmers must be putting their cannons out in their blueberry fields and testing them.
I heard the cannons again this morning. The only reason I paid attention was because there were several bangs within seconds of each other which is a violation of Surrey bylaws. I think they're allowed one bang every 5 minutes. But if they're setting them up and testing them I guess that's a different story. What are the farmers going to do? Stand around all day positioning their propane cannons and testing one every 5 minutes. I haven't heard those cannons again but I do hear some off in the distance.
Its probably just about time for those hungry birds to flock to the blueberry bushes. I have a dozen blueberry plants in my yard with decent sized berries on them and some are starting to turn blue. I pulled one off to try yesterday and it was sour. Needs a couple more days of sun which doesn't seem to be in the forecast for the next 5 days.
So how do I protect my blueberries from bands of marauding birds? Simple. I cover them with nets.
Some blueberry farmers do that too because of the impact to neighbors. I know Save On Foods was advertising last year that they only sell blueberries from farms that do not use propane cannons.
I say farmers have to do what they have to do. Nets over acres of blueberries is not a good option for many. It is expensive to set up and if the farm uses a mechanical blueberry picker it can be a pain taking the netting down so the machine can go down the rows. However some farmers have said these nets pay for themselves rather quickly.
I'ts my opinion, and this dates back to the mid-70's growing up in Cloverdale when the cannons first started firing, that the cannons don't work. The birds get used to the noise and stay in the field chowing down on blueberries.
Somewhere out there are some very good blueberry cannon salesmen.
I heard the cannons again this morning. The only reason I paid attention was because there were several bangs within seconds of each other which is a violation of Surrey bylaws. I think they're allowed one bang every 5 minutes. But if they're setting them up and testing them I guess that's a different story. What are the farmers going to do? Stand around all day positioning their propane cannons and testing one every 5 minutes. I haven't heard those cannons again but I do hear some off in the distance.
Its probably just about time for those hungry birds to flock to the blueberry bushes. I have a dozen blueberry plants in my yard with decent sized berries on them and some are starting to turn blue. I pulled one off to try yesterday and it was sour. Needs a couple more days of sun which doesn't seem to be in the forecast for the next 5 days.
So how do I protect my blueberries from bands of marauding birds? Simple. I cover them with nets.
Some blueberry farmers do that too because of the impact to neighbors. I know Save On Foods was advertising last year that they only sell blueberries from farms that do not use propane cannons.
I say farmers have to do what they have to do. Nets over acres of blueberries is not a good option for many. It is expensive to set up and if the farm uses a mechanical blueberry picker it can be a pain taking the netting down so the machine can go down the rows. However some farmers have said these nets pay for themselves rather quickly.
I'ts my opinion, and this dates back to the mid-70's growing up in Cloverdale when the cannons first started firing, that the cannons don't work. The birds get used to the noise and stay in the field chowing down on blueberries.
Somewhere out there are some very good blueberry cannon salesmen.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What's happening in Cloverdale in August 2010
A few events around Cloverdale this August:
Monday, August 2 - The Bose family corn maze opens. Located on the corner of 64th Avenue and 156th Street opening at noon. Opening and closing times vary by day of the week. Check their website for more information. http://www.themaize.com/sites.php?ID=&username=cancloverdale Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children.
Saturday, August 7 - Rock the River 2010 concert - Christian music - is being held at the Millenium Park on the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street from 2:30 - 9:30. Admission is $10. More info at this web page http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/rtr2010/citiesFV.asp
Saturday, August 14 - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. 9am to 5pm. There are several events happening: musical entertainment, pie eating contest, tractor pull, farmers market, free trolley rides, and a Show N Shine. Best to check out this web page for more information http://www.cloverdalebia.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=19&domain=1&webdir=cloverdale Most of the events take place on 176th Street and 176A Street between 58th Avenue and Highway 10.
Saturay, August 14 - 7:30am to 11:30am blueberry pancake breakfast at the Legion on 57A Avenue, across from the firehall. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, juice, coffee or tea $4.50.
Saturday, August 21 - 10:30am to noon - walking tour of the Surrey Centre Cemetery. Very interesting, especially for those who were unaware that Surrey Centre is just beside Cloverdale instead of being Newton or Guildford. This is put on by the Surrey Museum and costs $10. Phone the museum for reservations 604-592-6956.
Monday, August 2 - The Bose family corn maze opens. Located on the corner of 64th Avenue and 156th Street opening at noon. Opening and closing times vary by day of the week. Check their website for more information. http://www.themaize.com/sites.php?ID=&username=cancloverdale Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children.
Saturday, August 7 - Rock the River 2010 concert - Christian music - is being held at the Millenium Park on the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street from 2:30 - 9:30. Admission is $10. More info at this web page http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/rtr2010/citiesFV.asp
Saturday, August 14 - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. 9am to 5pm. There are several events happening: musical entertainment, pie eating contest, tractor pull, farmers market, free trolley rides, and a Show N Shine. Best to check out this web page for more information http://www.cloverdalebia.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=19&domain=1&webdir=cloverdale Most of the events take place on 176th Street and 176A Street between 58th Avenue and Highway 10.
Saturay, August 14 - 7:30am to 11:30am blueberry pancake breakfast at the Legion on 57A Avenue, across from the firehall. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, juice, coffee or tea $4.50.
Saturday, August 21 - 10:30am to noon - walking tour of the Surrey Centre Cemetery. Very interesting, especially for those who were unaware that Surrey Centre is just beside Cloverdale instead of being Newton or Guildford. This is put on by the Surrey Museum and costs $10. Phone the museum for reservations 604-592-6956.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Local Berries
So far this year I haven't had much luck at buying local berries around Cloverdale. I like Kraus Berry Farms out in the Otter area of Langley. They're usually big, juicy, sweet berries and at a premium price. But quality is worth it. I'm not out in that area often so I have to make a special trip.
I notice the Blueberry Store on 152 Street is now open, though I haven't stopped in there yet this year. Its on the east side of 152, about a couple of blocks south of the railway tracks at Colebrook Road. I've often pulled in there when stopped by a train. They have decent blueberries and often other berries and produce that are in season. Therefore they are only open a couple of months of the year in the summer.
Last week I stopped at Surrey Farms on the corner of 152 and Colebrook. They often have flats of blueberries and raspberries at $9.99. I bought a flat of blueberries for $9.99, a carton of strawberries for $7 (Yikes!) and a couple of pounds of Okanagan cherries that worked out to just over $6. Kerry likes them so I wanted to get him a treat. The cherries are good.
The blueberries weren't bad. Its the beginning of their season and they're not sweet and big and juicy the way I like. I ate some and froze about the majority. They'll be good for baking over the winter.
The strawberries I bought only because someone I know bought some there and said they were pretty good. I didn't like them. They weren't that big, were more white inside than red, more tart than sweet, and kind of tired looking even though they were picked that morning. By the 2nd day in my fridge they were already starting to turn. I turned them into strawberry smoothies and they were OK but I won't be buying any more strawberries here.
There are several signs up for blueberries for sale on the outskirts of Cloverdale along 152 Street, 168th Street, and 184th Street, among other places. These are farmers selling their berries on tables set up in their driveway or in booths on their front lawn. All cash sales. Occasionally I stop at some of them but more often than not I'm not carrying cash on me. I really need to make it a point to have a couple of tens on me during the summer months of driving around.
I notice the Blueberry Store on 152 Street is now open, though I haven't stopped in there yet this year. Its on the east side of 152, about a couple of blocks south of the railway tracks at Colebrook Road. I've often pulled in there when stopped by a train. They have decent blueberries and often other berries and produce that are in season. Therefore they are only open a couple of months of the year in the summer.
Last week I stopped at Surrey Farms on the corner of 152 and Colebrook. They often have flats of blueberries and raspberries at $9.99. I bought a flat of blueberries for $9.99, a carton of strawberries for $7 (Yikes!) and a couple of pounds of Okanagan cherries that worked out to just over $6. Kerry likes them so I wanted to get him a treat. The cherries are good.
The blueberries weren't bad. Its the beginning of their season and they're not sweet and big and juicy the way I like. I ate some and froze about the majority. They'll be good for baking over the winter.
The strawberries I bought only because someone I know bought some there and said they were pretty good. I didn't like them. They weren't that big, were more white inside than red, more tart than sweet, and kind of tired looking even though they were picked that morning. By the 2nd day in my fridge they were already starting to turn. I turned them into strawberry smoothies and they were OK but I won't be buying any more strawberries here.
There are several signs up for blueberries for sale on the outskirts of Cloverdale along 152 Street, 168th Street, and 184th Street, among other places. These are farmers selling their berries on tables set up in their driveway or in booths on their front lawn. All cash sales. Occasionally I stop at some of them but more often than not I'm not carrying cash on me. I really need to make it a point to have a couple of tens on me during the summer months of driving around.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Return of the Cannons
Can you hear them yet?
Yes, its the distinctive battle cry of the blueberry cannons in Cloverdale farmer's fields.
It won't be long before people living in the newer subdivisions send in their noise complaints to the local newspapers.
Yes, its the distinctive battle cry of the blueberry cannons in Cloverdale farmer's fields.
It won't be long before people living in the newer subdivisions send in their noise complaints to the local newspapers.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Free pancakes at Kraus Berry Farms on Canada Day?
Once again Kraus Berry Farms in the Otter area of Langley is hosting a free pancake breakfast on Canada Day from 9am to 11am. Their address is 6179 - 248th Street in Langley. Their web site is www.krausberryfarms.com
We drove out last year and the place was a zoo. Parking was - well everywhere. In their parking lot, up and down their driveway, and down 248th Street. We rode our motorbikes and the parking attendants shooed us to park beneath a tree near the store so we got up close parking. The line up for pancakes was at least 20 minutes. The pancakes were good and there was homemade berry syrup and fresh raspberries to put on the cakes. There was a donation can for a charity that I don't recall now. Perhaps cancer? We put in a good donation but not everyone showing up for their free pancakes did. We purchased berries and left. Several families stayed after breakfast to pick their own berries. Due to the cold weather raspberries aren't ripe yet. My plants are just starting to turn red the past couple of days, so I don't know if Kraus will have in time for Canada Day.
We often drive out there to pick up fresh berries. If we're very lucky we can catch blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries at the same time, thanks to those everbearing plants. They have the sweetest, juiciest berries but they tend to be higher priced than the farms around Cloverdale, so I don't purchase from them as much as I used to unless I happen to be out in the Aldergrove area.
Are free pancakes worth a half hour drive from Cloverdale and a line up of about the same time not to mention parking hassles. I'll let you decide.
We drove out last year and the place was a zoo. Parking was - well everywhere. In their parking lot, up and down their driveway, and down 248th Street. We rode our motorbikes and the parking attendants shooed us to park beneath a tree near the store so we got up close parking. The line up for pancakes was at least 20 minutes. The pancakes were good and there was homemade berry syrup and fresh raspberries to put on the cakes. There was a donation can for a charity that I don't recall now. Perhaps cancer? We put in a good donation but not everyone showing up for their free pancakes did. We purchased berries and left. Several families stayed after breakfast to pick their own berries. Due to the cold weather raspberries aren't ripe yet. My plants are just starting to turn red the past couple of days, so I don't know if Kraus will have in time for Canada Day.
We often drive out there to pick up fresh berries. If we're very lucky we can catch blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries at the same time, thanks to those everbearing plants. They have the sweetest, juiciest berries but they tend to be higher priced than the farms around Cloverdale, so I don't purchase from them as much as I used to unless I happen to be out in the Aldergrove area.
Are free pancakes worth a half hour drive from Cloverdale and a line up of about the same time not to mention parking hassles. I'll let you decide.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
What's happening in Cloverdale in August 2009?
Some events happening in Cloverdale in August:
August 8 2009 – Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. We always start the morning at the Cloverdale Legion enjoying their blueberry pancake breakfast. This is pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee and orange drink. And yes you can go back for seconds. All for $4/person. From about 7:30am to 11am. This will be a busy morning with many of the festival’s exhibitors in attendance. Along 176th Street is a Show N Shine with classic cars from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Get there early to enjoy the cars. Past experience is that the Blueberry Festival is usually very hot and sunny. The pavement gets hot and can become unbearable with the sun beating down. There will also be a pie eating contest, music, and the Legion has a BBQ from 5pm to 7pm
August 15 from 10:30am to about noon is a walking tour held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery on Old McLellan Road (60th Avenue). This is about a block west of 168th Street for those who haven’t been there before, across the street from Surrey Centre Elementary School. Cost is $10. Phone the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale to pre-register 604-592-6956. Sorry, I’m not sure what their hours of operation are, but if there’s no answer, they’re closed!
August 22 from 10am to about noon is another walking tour of downtown Cloverdale. Also $10 and pre-register at the Surrey Museum 604-592-6956.
August 8 2009 – Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. We always start the morning at the Cloverdale Legion enjoying their blueberry pancake breakfast. This is pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee and orange drink. And yes you can go back for seconds. All for $4/person. From about 7:30am to 11am. This will be a busy morning with many of the festival’s exhibitors in attendance. Along 176th Street is a Show N Shine with classic cars from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Get there early to enjoy the cars. Past experience is that the Blueberry Festival is usually very hot and sunny. The pavement gets hot and can become unbearable with the sun beating down. There will also be a pie eating contest, music, and the Legion has a BBQ from 5pm to 7pm
August 15 from 10:30am to about noon is a walking tour held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery on Old McLellan Road (60th Avenue). This is about a block west of 168th Street for those who haven’t been there before, across the street from Surrey Centre Elementary School. Cost is $10. Phone the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale to pre-register 604-592-6956. Sorry, I’m not sure what their hours of operation are, but if there’s no answer, they’re closed!
August 22 from 10am to about noon is another walking tour of downtown Cloverdale. Also $10 and pre-register at the Surrey Museum 604-592-6956.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Blueberry farmer retaliation?
Today while listening to the intermittent bangs of the propane cannons in the nearby blueberry fields, something stuck out. One cannon is making a huge blast that is a good two to three times louder than the regular propane cannons. That one made me sit up and take notice.
Like any other noise that goes with the territory after awhile I didn't notice it anymore.
I'm wondering if the blueberry farmers are getting fed up with the protestors and have located an extra loud propane cannon and are using it in retaliation.
Yup, this new cannon is a good blaster all right. Whether or not it scares the birds is debatable. Whether or not it will bug the crap out of the complaining neighbors is a foregone conclusion.
Like any other noise that goes with the territory after awhile I didn't notice it anymore.
I'm wondering if the blueberry farmers are getting fed up with the protestors and have located an extra loud propane cannon and are using it in retaliation.
Yup, this new cannon is a good blaster all right. Whether or not it scares the birds is debatable. Whether or not it will bug the crap out of the complaining neighbors is a foregone conclusion.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Blueberry Wars
Kerry phoned me on his way home on Wednesday night and said on the radio traffic there was a protest happening in Cloverdale at Highway 10 and 168th Street. I said it probably had something to do with the blueberries and the propane cannons. Although we live nearby I wasn't piqued enough to go check it out and get stuck in a traffic jam.
In yesterday's Surrey Leader there was a photo and short story. Yes, it had to do with the cannons in the blueberry fields.
A couple of the farmers farm blueberries on the south west corner of the intersection showed up and a shouting match ensued. They've been farming blueberries there for nearly 20 years and using propane cannons the whole time. They blame the recent homeowners who build or buy half a million to million dollar homes in the area and don't do their homework about farms in the area and then complain about it later.
If people are building or buying in the fall and winter months the cannons are silent. Its kind of like people buying a house in Richmond or somewhere else near a flight path and then complaining of the noise.
Growing up around here we had worse to dal with than propane cannons. There was the mushroom farms. Now man that was some stench in the evenings when they were gassing off. Same problem. More people move into the area, complain about the smell, and eventually they shut down either for good or move elsewhere. And who could forget the pig farms? Depending on which way the wind was blowing that aroma would blanket Cloverdale.
Am I the only person in Cloverdale who has invested in earplugs and wears them?
In yesterday's Surrey Leader there was a photo and short story. Yes, it had to do with the cannons in the blueberry fields.
A couple of the farmers farm blueberries on the south west corner of the intersection showed up and a shouting match ensued. They've been farming blueberries there for nearly 20 years and using propane cannons the whole time. They blame the recent homeowners who build or buy half a million to million dollar homes in the area and don't do their homework about farms in the area and then complain about it later.
If people are building or buying in the fall and winter months the cannons are silent. Its kind of like people buying a house in Richmond or somewhere else near a flight path and then complaining of the noise.
Growing up around here we had worse to dal with than propane cannons. There was the mushroom farms. Now man that was some stench in the evenings when they were gassing off. Same problem. More people move into the area, complain about the smell, and eventually they shut down either for good or move elsewhere. And who could forget the pig farms? Depending on which way the wind was blowing that aroma would blanket Cloverdale.
Am I the only person in Cloverdale who has invested in earplugs and wears them?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Blueberry for sale
OK, this has bugged me for years. The handpainted signs outside farms that proclaim "blueberry for sale". Yes, that is correct. Blueberry singular. If you want to buy one blueberry then this is the place to shop.
I have no problem with the handpainted signs. Whatever people can do to save a few bucks is fine with me. The handpainted signs are OK. Except for the ones that have run out of room before getting their message across. They should go find another piece of wood and start over. It looks so unprofessional:
ies
Blueberr
For Sale
But today takes the cake. I saw a handpainted sign that read:
Blue barry for sale
I have no problem with the handpainted signs. Whatever people can do to save a few bucks is fine with me. The handpainted signs are OK. Except for the ones that have run out of room before getting their message across. They should go find another piece of wood and start over. It looks so unprofessional:
ies
Blueberr
For Sale
But today takes the cake. I saw a handpainted sign that read:
Blue barry for sale
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Blueberries and the cannons
When I was growing up in Cloverdale most of the farms around here produced corn, lettuce, potatoes, and other vegetables. Blueberries came on the scene in the early to mid seventies. And with them came the battle cries of the propane cannons that the farmers believed would scare away the birds intent on eating the profits. But after awhile the birds got used to the noise. Fake propane cannons weren't going to stop a hungry flock of birds from chowing down on fresh blueberries. During the summer the Surrey Leader published letters from Cloverdale residents annoyed at the noise. Particularly annoyed at the farmers who left their cannons running all night long. I remember those nights!
The city has noise bylaws but enforcing them is not an easy task. Many times the farmers who've set up the propane cannons leased the fields and did not live on site. Catching the farmers at night to turn off their cannons was pretty much impossible.
As the years progressed some blueberry farmers found other ways to protect their crops. The most effective, and expensive, way to protect their blueberry crops from hungry birds is setting up netting over the fields. Also effective and less expensive and quieter than the cannons is setting up brightly colored tin foil to flap in the breeze. Add in a few fake hawks on a kite string. And in some cases, live hawks who are trained to stay in one area.
But some farmers still use the old propane cannons. We hear them going off starting around 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning. Oh, well. Story of my life during the summertime in Cloverdale.
And as is typical for this time of the year the Surrey Leader is publishing letters and stories of residents around Cloverdale who are complaining of the noise. Interestingly the complaints are coming from residents who live in the vicinity of 32nd Avenue west of 168th Street and up through the Morgan Heights and Rosemary Heights areas. In other words, fairly recently built subdivisions, some built within the past 3 years.
Its the old problem of developing some of the farm land and the people who move into these new neighborhoods. The farmers were there first. These propane cannons have been firing for 30 years, long before Morgan Heights was even a figment of someone's imagination.
Has the City of Surrey allowed too much residential development too close to established blueberry farms? They say no. But look around Cloverdale. Many of the old established farms from when I was a kid are long gone, replaced with condos, business centres, and houses on postage stamp sized lots.
The city has noise bylaws but enforcing them is not an easy task. Many times the farmers who've set up the propane cannons leased the fields and did not live on site. Catching the farmers at night to turn off their cannons was pretty much impossible.
As the years progressed some blueberry farmers found other ways to protect their crops. The most effective, and expensive, way to protect their blueberry crops from hungry birds is setting up netting over the fields. Also effective and less expensive and quieter than the cannons is setting up brightly colored tin foil to flap in the breeze. Add in a few fake hawks on a kite string. And in some cases, live hawks who are trained to stay in one area.
But some farmers still use the old propane cannons. We hear them going off starting around 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning. Oh, well. Story of my life during the summertime in Cloverdale.
And as is typical for this time of the year the Surrey Leader is publishing letters and stories of residents around Cloverdale who are complaining of the noise. Interestingly the complaints are coming from residents who live in the vicinity of 32nd Avenue west of 168th Street and up through the Morgan Heights and Rosemary Heights areas. In other words, fairly recently built subdivisions, some built within the past 3 years.
Its the old problem of developing some of the farm land and the people who move into these new neighborhoods. The farmers were there first. These propane cannons have been firing for 30 years, long before Morgan Heights was even a figment of someone's imagination.
Has the City of Surrey allowed too much residential development too close to established blueberry farms? They say no. But look around Cloverdale. Many of the old established farms from when I was a kid are long gone, replaced with condos, business centres, and houses on postage stamp sized lots.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blueberries and raspberries and cherries! Yum yum!
Yes its summertime. Fresh local berries are in season. We often stop at local farms who have a table set up outside on their front lawn, but more often than not we end up at Kraus Berry Farm in Aldergrove for our summer berries. Today we stopped at two local stores to buy their berries.
There's a store on 152 Street a few blocks south of Colebrook Road called The Blueberry Store. We've driven by it many times on our travels back and forth from White Rock but never stopped. It only has a short season when its open during the summer when blueberries are ripe. Today we stopped and bought a good sized basket of blueberries for $5.00. The same size basket cost us $8.00 and $9.00 three or four years ago at their competitors. But for the past couple of years there is a glut of blueberries and prices have dropped in half. Look around when driving in the rural areas of Cloverdale, Abbotsford, and Pitt Meadows. Every spare acre has been converted to blueberry plants. Too many people got into the market and dropped the price. Good for us consumers but not the farmers. The blueberries from The Blueberry Store are OK but they're not as sweet as the ones we get from Kraus. We also bought a basket of cherries for $5.00 and they are soooo good.
When we finished at The Blueberry Store we headed to Surrey Farm Markets on the corner of Colebrook and 152. We've noticed a sign out front for the past week advertising raspberries for $9.99 a flat. I've been in here in the past and I find their fruit and veggie prices on the high side compared to the other fresh produce stores in the area. The flat of raspberries consists of 5 baskets per flat. The size of baskets that can be bought at the grocery store anywhere from $2.00 to $5.00 so we bought a flat. The raspberries are so sweet. Very nice.
Dinner tonight consisted of yogurt, blueberries, and raspberries. I searched online for a raspberry/blueberry cake and came up with one that I baked tonight. It was fairly easy. The hard part was making a run to the grocery store for sour cream, the only ingredient I didn't have on hand. Looks good. Its cooling now and I'll be giving it the taste test tomorrow. In my search I also found a recipe of sorts from a woman who experimented with her lemon pound cake and added a cup each of blueberries and raspberries and its delicious. I'm going to give that a try tomorrow too and see how it goes.
That's kind of the sad thing about finding good deals on berries. One must quickly use them before they go bad. I'm not the type of person who does much freezing and I don't make jam, so I'm going with the cakes, and if it goes well, I might freeze the whole cake.
For anyone interested here is the link for the cake I baked tonight.
http://www.chefdecuisine.com/all_fruit/raspberry/RASPBERRY-BLUEBERRY_CAKE.asp
There's a store on 152 Street a few blocks south of Colebrook Road called The Blueberry Store. We've driven by it many times on our travels back and forth from White Rock but never stopped. It only has a short season when its open during the summer when blueberries are ripe. Today we stopped and bought a good sized basket of blueberries for $5.00. The same size basket cost us $8.00 and $9.00 three or four years ago at their competitors. But for the past couple of years there is a glut of blueberries and prices have dropped in half. Look around when driving in the rural areas of Cloverdale, Abbotsford, and Pitt Meadows. Every spare acre has been converted to blueberry plants. Too many people got into the market and dropped the price. Good for us consumers but not the farmers. The blueberries from The Blueberry Store are OK but they're not as sweet as the ones we get from Kraus. We also bought a basket of cherries for $5.00 and they are soooo good.
When we finished at The Blueberry Store we headed to Surrey Farm Markets on the corner of Colebrook and 152. We've noticed a sign out front for the past week advertising raspberries for $9.99 a flat. I've been in here in the past and I find their fruit and veggie prices on the high side compared to the other fresh produce stores in the area. The flat of raspberries consists of 5 baskets per flat. The size of baskets that can be bought at the grocery store anywhere from $2.00 to $5.00 so we bought a flat. The raspberries are so sweet. Very nice.
Dinner tonight consisted of yogurt, blueberries, and raspberries. I searched online for a raspberry/blueberry cake and came up with one that I baked tonight. It was fairly easy. The hard part was making a run to the grocery store for sour cream, the only ingredient I didn't have on hand. Looks good. Its cooling now and I'll be giving it the taste test tomorrow. In my search I also found a recipe of sorts from a woman who experimented with her lemon pound cake and added a cup each of blueberries and raspberries and its delicious. I'm going to give that a try tomorrow too and see how it goes.
That's kind of the sad thing about finding good deals on berries. One must quickly use them before they go bad. I'm not the type of person who does much freezing and I don't make jam, so I'm going with the cakes, and if it goes well, I might freeze the whole cake.
For anyone interested here is the link for the cake I baked tonight.
http://www.chefdecuisine.com/all_fruit/raspberry/RASPBERRY-BLUEBERRY_CAKE.asp
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Canada Day free pancake breakfast and raspberry social
Ah yes, never miss an opportunity for free pancakes!
Kraus Berry Farms in Aldergrove is one of my favorite places to buy fresh berries. We go there several times during the summer to buy freshly picked strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. We snack on them on the drive home and still manage to get home with many intact. Their berries are so big, sweet, and juicy. The Kraus farms also has a bakery selling pies and shortcake featuring their berries and sell preserves. They also serve sandwiches and milkshakes. And if you like farm animals, there is a petting zoo to visit.
On July 1 from 9am to 1pm Kraus Berry Barms is celebrating Canada Day with a free pancake breakfast served with their own berry syrup. They're located at 6179 - 248th Street.
And when you're finished at Kraus's farm, head south on 248th Street to the Otter Coop located just south of the Fraser Highway. Between noon and 3pm on Canada Day they're holding a strawberry/raspberry social featuring raspberry shortcake and there will be live music.
Time it right and you can fit in both activities.
And then don't forget to come back to Cloverdale for the Canada Day celebrations at the Millenium Park located at the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street. Traffic in that area is going to be a mess after the 10pm fireworks show is finished. If you can walk or take transit that's the best plan. 100,000 people showed up last year and parking is at a premium.
Kraus Berry Farms in Aldergrove is one of my favorite places to buy fresh berries. We go there several times during the summer to buy freshly picked strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. We snack on them on the drive home and still manage to get home with many intact. Their berries are so big, sweet, and juicy. The Kraus farms also has a bakery selling pies and shortcake featuring their berries and sell preserves. They also serve sandwiches and milkshakes. And if you like farm animals, there is a petting zoo to visit.
On July 1 from 9am to 1pm Kraus Berry Barms is celebrating Canada Day with a free pancake breakfast served with their own berry syrup. They're located at 6179 - 248th Street.
And when you're finished at Kraus's farm, head south on 248th Street to the Otter Coop located just south of the Fraser Highway. Between noon and 3pm on Canada Day they're holding a strawberry/raspberry social featuring raspberry shortcake and there will be live music.
Time it right and you can fit in both activities.
And then don't forget to come back to Cloverdale for the Canada Day celebrations at the Millenium Park located at the corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street. Traffic in that area is going to be a mess after the 10pm fireworks show is finished. If you can walk or take transit that's the best plan. 100,000 people showed up last year and parking is at a premium.
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