Skip to content

Groovy, man, the Aldergrove Fair is this weekend

The Aldergrove Fair includes activities to interest all members of the family.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_20
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Patrick Logan and Addison Dan were at the Aldergrove Fair Saturday, checking out the displays and pausing for a photo opp.

Beside jars of homemade jam bearing ribbons, people walked a meditation labrynth while in the distance gunfire could be heard.

Only at the Aldergrove Fair could a person see the World Fast Draw Championships with people in western garb shooting old fashioned pistols beside vendors for new age products, food trucks offering Malayasian treats, the traditional agricultural exhibits of a country fair, First Nations drumming, a midway, vintage military vehicles, intuitive readings, a lybrynth, pony rides, and lots of hippies.

Many people donned tie-dyed T-shirts for the fair, which runs July 14 to 16 in Aldergrove, to match this year’s theme of Flower Power. This is the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love in 1967 when hippies went from being on the fringes of society to being mainstream.

The fair organizers, volunteers with the non-profit Aldergrove Fair Days Society, have created a fair with a mix of old and new, hippy dippy and historical, fanciful and farming.

A highlight of the fair was the Sunday presentation of community awards. Ian Dickson won the Hilda Reddick Community Service Award for outstanding service to the community. Fiona Young won the Bev Gold Youth Service Award.

Canadian rockers Trooper perform Saturday evening but there’s entertainment throughout the weekend on two stages, live demonstrations of vintage engines, heritage displays, treats, and the Fairy Magicland which gave lots of little girls reason to wear their princess costumes.

A free Qui Gong demonstration will take place on Sunday on the grass by the Spirit Stage at 11 a.m. People just need to be dressed in comfortable clothing.

$5 is all it takes for the fair raffle. And it could end up being worth $1,000, the value of the lawn and garden equipment that’s first prize.

Second prize is a waffle breakfast for four, lunch for four, passes to the Twilight Drive-In, the Greater Vancouver Zoo, the bowling alley, and Township facilities, a gift basket, two nights accommodation at an Aldergrove hotel, and a wine tasting and tour. It’s valued at $550.

The $450 third prize is a multi-course tasting menu meal for up to five people.

Fourth prize is $120 in gift cards.

There’s stuff just for the younger folks including the Kidzone with live entertainment, animal displays, Fairy Magicland, and, wait for it – zipline jousting. Kids can also make small luges from zuccini and race them on a giant slope.

Don’t forget to stop by all weekend to watch the antique and garden tractor pulling, cowboy church Sunday morning, the chili cookoff Sunday with samples for the public. There’s judges’ choice winners and also best costume/theme. There’s artisans’ alley to pick up unique items, and a beer garden for the grownups.

Sunday, July 16 features music of a more mellow strain. Sunday Afternoon of Blues starts at 1 p.m. with James Thorhaug & Friends, with special guests James ‘Buddy’ Rogers (award winning blues artist) and John ‘The Colonel’ on blues harp.

Everything happens at the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre and Aldergrove Athletic Park (26770 29th Ave.).

The entertainment and activities at the Aldergrove Fair are free with gate admission thanks to generous community sponsors. Admission is by donation.

7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_17
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Summer of Love was 50 years ago and the Aldergrove Fair has a Flower Power theme.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_3
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Walkers, riders, horses, vehicles of all eras all took part in the Aldergrove Fair Parade Saturday morning.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_1
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_2
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Kodiaks hit the pavement, walking in the Aldergrove Fair Parade Saturday morning, and bringing along some bling to show off.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_4
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Saturday morning parade kicked off weekend activities for the Aldergrove Fair.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_5
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Saturday morning parade kicked off weekend activities for the Aldergrove Fair.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_6
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Vintage farm tractors were one of the entries in the Aldergrove Fair parade Saturday.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_7
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Families and others lined the edge of Fraser Highway to watch the bands, community groups, businesses, and floats in the parade Saturday.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_11
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Fair runs July 14 to 16 and includes a small midway.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_8
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Fair runs July 14 to 16 and includes a small midway.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_9
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Dog agility is one of the many demonstrations at the Aldergrove Fair.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_10
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Vintage engines, that used to power everything from farm equipment to washing machines, was on display at the Aldergrove Fair.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_12
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Fair runs July 14 to 16, and includes many demonstrations and activities. Admission is by donation.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_13
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) John Le Blanc, a competitive shooter, taught Leon Jensen who took part in the Fast Draw Celebrity Challenge Saturday at the Aldergrove Fair.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_14
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Fair hosts the World Fast Draw Championships. While the competitive shooters have a break, local dignitaries, media and politicians compete in the annual celebrity challenge.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_15
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The Aldergrove Fair hosts the World Fast Draw Championships. While the competitive shooters have a break, local dignitaries, media and politicians compete in the annual celebrity challenge.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_16
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) The vintage tractor pull includes categories for young people.
7725980_web1_170715-LAD-AldergroveFair_18
(Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance) Joe Weber wanted to ask the policeman about their work and ended up plaing some miniature football with them at the Aldergrove Fair on Saturday.


Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
Read more