The first of Cloverdale’s Market Days is fast approaching, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
The free, all-ages events will take place on May 27, June 24 and Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing everything Cloverdale has to offer to its downtown core for days of shopping, entertainment and family fun.
The Market Days are put on by the Cloverdale Arts and Entertainment Association (CAEA), a not-for-profit organization, in an effort to draw attention to the artistic talent and local businesses in their community.
“We are a board of directors of volunteers that has come together to try and generate more attention to the community of Cloverdale and what it has to offer, from businesses to artisans,” said Paige Hardy, CAEA director.
“Our goal this year was to take the markets to the next level,” she said. “We’re growing, and it’s bigger and better than ever before this year.”
In the three years since Cloverdale’s Market Days began, the event has grown substantially. In it’s first year, vendors set up on sidewalks to showcase their wares and services.
This year, CAEA has partnered with community organizations and businesses to bring in more vendors, more artists and more live performances.
Downtown Cloverdale’s main drag, 176 Street, will be closed to traffic between 56A Street and 58 Street for the markets, as the street will be lined with tents of entrepreneurs offering everything from wine to jewellery – organizers expect to see more than 60 vendors.
The Fraser Valley Food Truck Festival will attend, the Cloverdale Legion will have a static display of war-era vehicles, and there will be plenty of free activities for kids, including face painting, a bouncy castle and an entertainment from a clown.
Oasis Park, located in the breezeway at the corner of 176 St. and 56A Ave., will be filled with artists and artisans, showcasing and creating their work. CAEA has partnered with the Arts Council of Surrey, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, to bring around 20 artists, including members of the Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild.
“This year, we received a cultural grant from the City of Surrey, which we’re very grateful for,” said Hardy. “With that, we’re incorporating more entertainment, which will lead to more atmosphere.”
The $3,000 grant will go towards hosting a new act every hour on the main stage, and Hardy expects this to be the most popular Market Day series yet.
For the first Market Day on May 27, market-goers can expect to see Trudy Davies, a local poet, read from her work; performances by up-and-coming singer-songwriters, such as Richard Tichelman and Emma Alves; The Society of Versatile Entertainers perform their ‘Lost in the ’50s’ musical; live jazz, blues and much more.
Emma Alves, a local singer-songwriter, will perform at Cloverdale’s Market Days. Contributed
Even though they have lots on the docket, Hardy said the CAEA is always looking for more community members to participate, whether as vendors or sponsors.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” she said. “It’s a great event for people to get involved in through volunteering or sponsorship, because it incorporates family, local talent, artisans, businesses: local people.”
For more information on the Market Days, or how to get involved, visit: www.cloverdale-ae.ca/.
