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Nicholson Road is part of an ongoing photo project aimed at sharing and celebrating the different communities in Metro Vancouver. Each week Vancouver Is Awesome will be featuring one of the latest, most engaging photos from the project in order to draw your attention a little bit outside of the hyper-focus that we usually have on the city of Vancouver. |
Were you aware that the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) isn't the only Class "A" exhibition held in Metro Vancouver? If so, you'd already know about the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition/Country Fair that happens each year in Surrey. If not, here's a bit of background info:
- The beginnings of the fair go way back to 1888 with the incorporation of the District of Surrey Agricultural Association, and subsequent fair held in Surrey Centre (which was at that time, home to the town hall and other significant establishments)
- The rodeo events were added in the '40s to a very enthusiastic public response. This resulted in the need to turn hundreds of visitors away due to lack of space, so organizers worked at expanding the event more and more each year (which included an expansion of the track at Fraser Downs, and the construction of larger grandstands to hold around 3,000 people)
- This expansion marked the growth from a small-town rodeo to a large scale, official rodeo event - with points counted towards the overall title of World Champion All-around Cowboy. In the rodeo world, that's kind of a big deal. Some of the contestants this year have earned millions in rodeo events.
- The Cloverdale Rodeo suffered a bit of a dry spell through the '60s an '70s, but was revived in the early '80s to the point where it was recognized as the Number One Performance Rodeo in North America by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association.
- Due to controversy around the death of a steer during the 2007 exhibition, the Cloverdale Rodeo opted to drop the tie-down roping, team roping, cowboy cow milking and steer wrestling events, thereby excluding itself from the professional rodeo circuit.
- Despite this past controversy (or perhaps due to their response to it), the Cloverdale Rodeo remains a ReallyBigDeal to the 20,000+ 70,000+ visitors coming from throughout the lower mainland, BC, Alberta, and various northwestern American states, not to mention all of the participants who come to showcase their skills. And as with any good fair/exhibition, there are tons of other activities and shows to enjoy ranging from the Lumberjack shows (pictured), various local musical acts like Emily Taylor Adams (BCCMA winner for Female Vocalist of the Year) and The Showstoppers (think Glee-ish show choir - they've performed all over, including for Vancouver2010 events), not to mention a huge midway of rides, tons of food, a big outdoor movie, and all the other goodies that go along with awesome summer events.
Today is the last day of the fair, so if you're in the mood, grab your cowboy hat 'n boots and head out to the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair for a great time! Queen Victoria would have approved (I think).
More from Nicholson Road can be found HERE.
