The 67th annual Cloverdale Rodeo and 125th Country Fair opens today at 4 p.m., ushering a long weekend filled with entertainment.
The world's best cowboys and cowgirls will be competing in four rodeo events at the Stetson Bowl, where $328,000 in prize money is up for grabs.
Other highlights the Cowboy Cook-off Barbecue Competition and Rib Fest, and the World Round-Up Skateboard Championships.
The midway – B.C.'s largest – is always a favourite. Save $11 on a midway ride wristband at Macs and IGA stores.
And the Kidz Zone has a fun-filled lineup of entertainment, including Judi the Manners Lady, and 18,000 square feet of games, interactive displays, songs, dance, art and more.
The new Cone Zone Go-Kart ride, presented by Cloverdale-based Mainroad Group, will teach future drivers (youth aged 10 to 16) road safety in a construction zone. Daily draws for an iPad mini.
Also new is the nightly Youth Stage and 13 to 18 Teen Night Club (Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.).
Organized by Cloverdale DJ Carson Hoy, the stage will feature live local talent, followed by a night club with a massive sound system and light show – again, free with grounds admission.
Local bands She Dreams in Colour, Ransom for the Captives, Stolen, DJ Khush, and Deth Klown will be performing, along with headliner Ray Gibson.
For those 19 and older, there’s nightly live entertainment in the Longhorn Saloon with The Ken McCoy Band and Dr. Strangelove. There’s also live performances on the outdoor stage all weekend.
Other favourites include the AgriZone, Classic Car Show, food court and Western themed vendors.
The fairgrounds will be open until midnight tonight, and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
Grounds admission is $12, but you'll save $2 if you purchase your ticket in advance at participating London Drugs and Big O Tire stores. There's a $2 combination discount on a combination grounds admission and rodeo performance ticket if you purchase online.
Children 12 and under are free to both the fairgrounds and to rodeo performances.
The historic town centre of Cloverdale hosts several popular community-focused events, including the 16th annual Chili Cook-off at Clover Square Village (176A and Highway 10) Friday, May 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sample home cooked recipes by Cloverdale’s business and service organizations, and vote for your favourite.
The Cloverdale Rodeo Parade is Saturday May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, and kicks off with the annual pancake breakfast in Hawthorne Square, just one of many put on by service organizations and churches.
The parade starts on Hwy 10 at 177B Street heading west. It turns north on 176 Street from Hwy 10 to 58A Avenue, where it takes a short jog east to 176A Street and continues north to 60th Avenue. From there it’s east to 177B Street, where it turns south to the end of the route at 58 Avenue.
For more information, visit www.cloverdalerodeo.com.
