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Celebrating community: Cloverdale Blueberry Festival

Come and enjoy a local experience like no other
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Come on down for some family fun in the sun at the Cloverdale Blueberry festival on Aug. 6.

There'll be hundreds of vehicles on show, from vintage rides to trucks, motorcycles, muscle cars and street rods. Plus an art festival, plenty of local entertainment, vendors, a family zone and even an antique tractor pull.

And plenty of blueberries.

The main event at the eighth annual Cloverdale Blueberry Festival happens on August 6 (with a related tractor pull on the following Aug. 13-14 weekend) at venues throughout Cloverdale.

It's an event intended to celebrate not only blueberries, but to showcase and experience everything the local community has to offer, says Cloverdale Business Improvement Association executive director Paul Orazietti.

"The main, umbrella event is the blueberry festival, but it's the quintessential community festival," he says.

"There's a bit of everything for everybody."

Surrey Show & ShineEvents run all day, the most noticeable likely the Surrey Show and Shine, where hundreds of vehicles of all ages and sizes will be on show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Cloverdale (176 and 176A streets). Look for the shine of wax, the sparkle of chrome, the colourful custom paint jobs and the whitewall tires - the show n shine usually draws at least 300 - and up to as many as 650 - vehicles, Orazietti says.

He notes plenty of blueberry related items - including the United Church's popular blueberry pies - as well as retail offerings in the vendors' market at 176 Street and 56A Avenue.

But he urges everyone to start their festival experience at the Family Zone in Clover Square Village, where the Cloverdale Lions Club will be cooking up a fabulous blueberry pancake breakfast.

The Family Zone offers all kinds of entertainment and activities that are especially targeted toward younger children, including free face painting, balloons, a Cinemazoo Animal Agency exhibit, mini golf, rides, games, an antique tractor display, a BMX stunt show, a junior talent showcase and live entertainers and performers geared for a younger audience.

There will also be health and wellness exhibits, a farmer's market, and the always-fun Blueberry Pie Eating contest.

"That's always very popular," Orazietti says of the eating event.

But the family zone is "really a community zone," he adds.

More live entertainment featuring local talent and other community exhibits will also be on display at the annual Blueberry Art Festival, which happens at Surrey Museum Plaza, 17710 56A Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There, the Arts Council of Surrey hosts a juried art show/art walk and craft fair, as well as games and crafts for the kid.

To get around easily, the Cloverdale BIA offers a free trolley and shuttle service from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., stopping at the festival's venues throughout the day.

Plus, Orazietti notes, the fun continues the following weekend (Aug. 13-14) with a two-day tractor pull from noon to 4:30 p.m. daily at Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino.

Guests can cheer for their favourite pre-1960 antique tractors and also enjoy live music and excellent barbecue fare.

Oraziettiehopes to see a good turnout at all events.

"It's a lot of fun for everyone."

Visit www.cloverdalebia.com for more information on the Cloverdale Blueberry Festival.

– By Tricia Leslie, special to the Cloverdale Reporter

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