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Fairs, festivals and other events
Friday, June 13th, 2008 by GetawayBC.com
If you want to learn a little more about Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, check out one of their many community events:
June 7
Pitt Meadows Day is an annual celebration of the founding of Pitt Meadows, taking place on the first Saturday in June.
A pancake breakfast and parade begin the morning, followed by entertainment at Harris Road Park and YouthFest at the Pitt Meadows Rec. Centre. Enjoy the tasty chicken and salmon BBQ at the Heritage Hall. Fireworks at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park complete the day. Parade begins at 11 a.m. Info: festival@mapleridge.org.
July 1
Canada Day festivities take place in both communities. Maple Ridge holds a day-long festival with flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. in Memorial Peace Park on 224 Street followed by a variety of family activities. Info: 604-467-7325.
Pitt Meadows hosts the Pitt Meadows 7km Canada Day Run at 8 a.m. at the Pitt Meadows Family Rec. Centre, 12027 Harris Rd. The official ceremony takes place at municipal hall, 12007 Harris Rd., at the cenotaph at 10:30 a.m. Info: 604-465-2453.
July 4-5
Art Goes Boom – a progressive arts festival at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge. Enjoy live original music, dance, arts, poetry, an interactive jam circle and art gallery.
July-August
- Music on the Wharf is a summer music series hosted by the Maple Ridge Historical Society at Port Haney Wharf on River Road. Info: 604-463-5311.
- Twilight Tuesdays is an annual summer concert series held on Tuesday evenings at the Memorial Peace Park bandstand (off 224 Street) featuring the Maple Ridge Concert Band.
July 12-13
The Caribbean Street Festival boasts live Caribbean music, delicious Caribbean food, local vendors and artisans and more. Come in costume and dance the day away; 224th Street is closed down to accommodate the festival. Info: 604-467-7325.
July 19-20
Maple Ridge Country Fest, formerly the Maple Ridge Fair, has run for more than 100 years and offers agricultural activities, demos and competitions, 4-H shows and lots of entertainment. A kids’ area keeps the young ones entertained. There is much to see and do over the two days. All events are at the Albion Fairgrounds, located on 105th Avenue (take Lougheed Highway east, turn left at 105th). Info: 604-463-6922 or www.mapleridgefair.com.
July 24-27
Bard on the Bandstand, 8-10 p.m.
Join the Emerald Pig Theatrical Society at the Memorial Peace Park for their presentation of The Taming of the Shrew. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, warm clothes, and a donation to the food bank.
August 9
The 12th annual Maple Ridge Jazz and Blues Festival is an affordable outdoor music festival featuring some of B.C.’s best local and regional jazz, roots and blues artists. Co-ordinated by executive director “Storman Norman” Casler, it includes an arts and crafts village, international food fair, children’s activities and more. Three stages of first-class music. Festival takes place in Memorial Peace Park on 224 Street, noon-to 11 p.m. Info: 6004-467-7325 or www.jazzblues.ca. Admission: $6 adults.
July 26-27
The Bees and Blueberries Festival is at Dr. Bee’s Honeyland Canada on Ford Road in Pitt Meadows, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
August 16-17
Pitt Meadows Airport Day this year features the return of the air show. Event also includes a pancake breakfast, opening ceremonies, skydiving, vintage cars and aircraft, free airplane rides for kids and musical entertainment. Airport is located at 11465 Baynes Rd., Pitt Meadows. Info: 604-465-8977.
September 14
The Terry Fox Run, an annual event to raise funds for cancer research, starts and ends at Hammond Community Centre, 20601 Westfield Ave. Participants can walk, run, rollerblade or wheel a one-, five- or 10 km route. Info: 604-464-2666.
September 20
The second annual Spirit of Wood Community Carving event takes place at Harris Road Park, 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy wood carving demonstrations, interactive make-and-take projects, and live entertainment. Also make suggestions for the theme and design of a fabulous wood carving that will be displayed in Pitt Meadows as a community legacy.
September 28
Whonnock Lake Family Fun Day is an annual fair that traditionally starts off with an inter-denominational church service and pancake breakfast. The event includes food, crafts, children’s activities, musical entertainment and the popular Whon-auction. Info: 604-462-8212.
September 28
B.C. Rivers Day is celebrated locally with special activities at the Rivers Heritage Centre and Allco Park to raise awareness of our streams and rivers. Info: 604-467-6401. Ask for Jenny. The Bell Irving Fish Hatchery also holds a Rivers Day event. Info: 604-462-8643.
November 11
There will be Remembrance Day ceremonies in both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. In Maple Ridge, a parade to the cenotaph in Memorial Peace Park (224 Street) leaves from the Royal Canadian Legion, 12101 224 St. at 10:30 a.m. In Pitt Meadows, there is a ceremony at the cenotaph next to municipal hall, 12007 Harris Rd., at 10:30 a.m.
December 6
Christmas in the Park and the Santa Claus Parade rings in the holiday season with an annual community parade that circles Memorial Peace Park on 224 Street in downtown Maple Ridge, along with live entertainment, carols, hot chocolate and pictures with Santa. Info: Art Solomon, 604-467-6573 or mrchristmasfestival@shaw.ca.;