The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is back in action this year, taking place over the May long weekend. This rodeo is a longtime tradition for the city of Cloverdale and the Lower Mainland, starting all the way back in 1888.
The rodeo was founded to promote agricultural development in the Lower Fraser Valley, offer a venue for community social and recreational activities, and host agricultural fairs, exhibitions, race meets, and various social, sporting, and recreational events. But before it was the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, back in 1888 it was called the Lower Fraser Valley Annual Exhibition, and instead of being held over the May long weekend, it took place early in the fall. The event has changed a lot over the years, and it wasn’t until 1946 when the Cloverdale Rodeo was founded, and then fifty years later the two events came together to become the event that everyone now knows and loves.
The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair has become a yearly tradition for many people in the Lower Mainland, and invites new people to come check it out every year. With many different activities, there is always something to do for everyone. The rodeo being the biggest attraction, will host ninety-six of the worlds best cowboys and cowgirls who will perform in five different formats. Some of those include, bareback riding, ladies barrel racing, and bull riding! The rodeo contest takes place over the whole week, with POOL A starting off the event at 7:30pm on Friday the 17th, and the finals taking place at 2:00pm on Monday the 20th. The 2023 Cloverdale Invitational Champions and the 2023 Canadian Rodeo Champions are all invited back to compete.
There is much more to the rodeo than just the rodeo itself, with a wide array of things to do, you won’t find yourself unoccupied for very long. If cowboys and cowgirls aren’t your thing, check out the Country Fair side of things! When purchasing your tickets, you have four choices at checkout: admission only, rodeo, ride passes, and Longhorn Saloon tickets. To get access to the rodeo, ride passes, and Longhorn Saloon, you need to buy your admission tickets first. Ticket prices vary anywhere from $12 to $45, so you’re never breaking the bank when visiting! The Longhorn Saloon now has VIP packages that are the newest addition to the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. For anyone looking to keep the party going late into the night, this is definitely the place to be.
Exact details of gates opening and closing have not been released yet, but be sure to buy those tickets in advance if you’re looking for a great way to spend your May long weekend!