It’s a festival like no other, showcasing nearly everything Cloverdale has to offer.
With dozens of attractions to take in, from muscle cars to Model As, pancake breakfasts and barbecue lunches, live actors and family fun, not to mention homemade pie, you’ll want to make sure you get the most out of your experience at the 9th annual Cloverdale Blueberry Festival Aug. 4.
Remember, festivities and attractions are organized into zones.
Surrey Show ‘n Shine
The signature event is the Surrey Show ‘n Shine, a day-long car show (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) that draws participants from across the Lower Mainland.
This year, the show moves beyond the downtown core of 176 Street and 176A Street, where there are live music performances, vendors market, food vendors and more.
Horsepower fans will find lots to do at Clover Square Village, aka the Race Car Zone. Watch 1/4 mile dragsters with live demos and check out other speedy race cars.
Look for the Antique Zone at Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino – heritage and vintage vehicles are on display inside the track.
Antique Tractor Pull
The two-day Antique Tractor Pull at Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino (Aug. 4-5), originally a stand-alone event, has grown.
Tractor drivers from across the Fraser Valley are bringing their antique tractors to Cloverdale for a heavy-duty competition.
Over two days, competitors driving antique, pre-1960 tractors will square off in 10 different weight categories.
Each tractor is hooked up to a sled full of weights, which rises higher and higher in the air as the tractor moves further forward.
Organizer Vern Keller, a member of the Cloverdale Legion, collects vintage John Deere tractors and classic cars.
Competition runs from 1-3 p.m. both days. The event is open to all ages, no charge. Call 604-308-2443 for more.
Antique Zone
This year, the track at Fraser Downs is also the location for the Antique Zone, where collectors will show off their vintage and antique cars. The Pacific Model A Club and the B.C. Pioneer Truck Club have confirmed.
Running from 10 am. to 4 p.m.
At noon, enjoy a performance featuring Susie Francis and the Versatiles.
Check out a few of the antique trucks in the B.C. Heritage Transportation Centre, which hasn’t opened to the public yet. Vehicles will be stationed at various locations around Cloverdale, including Fraser Downs.
Family Zone
Clover Square Village hosts the blueberry pie eating contest, BMX bike show, and the BC Junior Talent Show, along with the Lions pancake breakfast and barbecue, antique tractor display, vendors, Cinemazoo, a bouncy castle and mini golf.
Kids will enjoy free facepainting, balloons and blueberry tattoos.
Come for breakfast: the Cloverdale Lions Club will be serving up a blueberry pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a barbecue from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Blueberry Arts Festival
There will be plenty to see and do at the 6th annual Blueberry Arts Festival, a visual and performing arts showcase presented by the Surrey Arts Council.
Surrey Museum Plaza will host artisans and crafters selling handmade wares such as pottery, jewellery, Barbie doll clothes and baby clothes. The crafters will be on hand to answer questions and talk about their artwork, so drop by and say hello.
Look for the ArtWalk under the tent in the plaza. Approximately 15 different artists are competing for a Best in Show award at the exhibition.
The entertainment stage will be busy with dancing and live music performers.
Entertainment starts at 10 a.m. with classic Indian dance from Sudnya Dance Academy, followed by singer Tommy Alto, dancers Classic Steps, and singer-songwriter Joe Given. Other performers include belly dancers Divine Hips, singers Robyn and Ryleigh, Mathew von Vooght, and a colourful and fun Bhangra finale. The day wraps up with an award presentation congratulating the ArtWalk competition winners.
Surrey Museum
Drop by the Surrey Museum Plaza, hosting several big attractions throughout the day:
Pic-Knit
The museum hosts Pic-Knit, a gathering of knitters, crafters and suppliers.
You won’t believe your eyes when you see the vivid range of colours from hand-dyed wool on sale.
It’s also a chance to watch experts in action, get tips and learn tricks in mini-workshops, guaranteed to inspire your own yarn crafts.
Tour the textile studio and the Hooser Library and view the Museum’s collection of weaving samples and rare textile books.
Two workshops are planned: Beaded Beauty Knitted Scarf from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Pretty Picots Knitted Edges from 2-3 p.m.
There will be games and crafts for kids all day, including summer crafts to take home and old-fashioned games to play.
Pic-Knit runs Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in, admission by donation.
Fire Truck Open House
The heritage fire truck will be available for viewing, and the Pioneer Firefighters Association will be on hand, answering questions and sharing the heritage of firefighting.
Step inside the Surrey Museum to view its public galleries and exhibits. You’ll want to check out the classically-inspired exhibit Lego: Myths & Muses by the Vancouver Lego Club.
Frontier Tale Blazers
Meet history up close with live, interactive and fun recreations of Surrey pioneers portrayed by the Frontier Tale Blazers. Look for the blue and white striped tent or the banners leading you to the action.
Professional actors will engage and amaze you as they portray some of Surrey’s earliest characters.
Dr. Frederick Sinclair – Cloverdale Pharmasave, 5685 176A St.
Teacher Mary Jane Shannon – Surrey Museum
Reeve T.J. Sullivan – 1912 Hall at 17671 56 Avenue
Printer’s Devil Stan McKinnon – Cloverdale Reporter office, 17586 56A Ave.
Pioneer carpenter Eric Anderson – Anderson Cabin at the Surrey Museum
Performances are every 20 minutes, so stay for one or tour downtown to meet them all.
Activities
The museum plaza hosts a kids’ outdoor play area with horseshoes and shuffleboard, a craft table and more.
Walking Tour
Join local historian Roger Bose for a walking tour of historic Cloverdale at 11 a.m. Bose is from a pioneer Surrey family. It starts at the Surrey Museum.
British Car Zone
Cloverdale’s newest shopping plaza, Brick Yard Station, hosts an open house. Meet participating merchants and take in various activities, including a display of classic British cars. Groovy, baby!
Vendors’ Market
Browse shops and vendors along 176 Street and 56A Avenue.
Free shuttle bus
Stops are: Clover Square Village, Brick Yard Station, Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino, Downtown Cloverdale (Hawthorne Square), and the Surrey Museum, so you and your family won’t have to cross Highway 10 on foot.