The 133rd Country Fair is coming up quickly.
Kathy Sheppard, president of the Cloverdale Rodeo Association, said this year’s Country Fair will have some new events and entertainment that will wow fair-goers.
She said this year’s theme, “An Original Kind of Country,” embodies the old and new, both traditional events and attractions as well as some new things that will peak the interest of attendees.
“The community’s Country Fair has grown into one of Western Canada’s most popular events,” noted Sheppard. “Each year, over 70,000 attendees take part in rodeo and agriculture traditions and a range of modern attractions that reflect the community’s evolving identity.”
She said “An Original Kind of Country” reflects this evolving change.
“One hundred and thirty-three years of tradition, plus a one-of-a-kind modern mix of attractions, make this Canada’s most unique country fair.”
Sheppard told the Cloverdale Reporter there are many things to do at the fair that suit people of all ages.
She said there are fair favourites like rides, midway games, carnival food, a massive farm area with demonstrations and chances to interact with the animals, along with new events, such as Flying Pig Races and the Extreme Dog Show.
“Budgets are stretched right now, but attending this world-class event is affordable,” added Sheppard. “The Country Fair includes dozens of free events and admission is just $12 per adult and kids 12 and under are free.”
Free events inside the Fairgrounds include: world-championship freestyle skateboarding, professional wrestling, lumberjack shows, the Farm Friendz area, and the Buckaroo Barn—a family-friendly area filled with tons of activities.
There are also free entertainment stages, including the Lordco Auto Parts Stage, the Indigenous Village Stage, the Hops and Vines Stage, the JRG Cookhouse Stage, and the Buckaroo Barn Stage.
Sheppard said the world’s best freestyle skateboarders will be in town to compete in the World Freestyle Roundup, an event that will showcase the skateboarders’ skills while they perform tricks and routines in their attempt to win the event. (The skateboarders will offer a free, 10-minute preview of their competion to Bed Race attendees Thursday night, May 16, before the rodeo starts.)
Sheppard said more than 40 food trucks will be on hand, including three ribbers. She said Hops and Vines is back too, a venue that features a beer and wine garden that will have local craft breweries and wineries, and a stage.
Of course the midway is back and West Coast Amusements will have their full array of rides running on Rodeo Weekend.