Cloverdale Rodeo expanding Farm Friendz kids area with 2 new attractions
Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, April 22, 2026
There’s a lot of stuff planned for the 78th Cloverdale Rodeo and 135th Country Fair this year, says Rick Hugh.
While most of the new stages, attraction, events, and artists are aimed at an adult audience, Hugh said the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association (CREA) is adding two new attractions aimed at a younger audience.
Hugh, 1st vice-president of CREA, told the Cloverdale Reporter they are working with Silverbrook Farm to bring trout fishing to the rodeo and fair this year.
“We’re going to have a catch and release trout fishing (pond),” he said. “It’ll be with Farm Friendz as another area for kids.”
Farm Friendz is always located inside the Cloverdale Arena and the pond will be located next the rink.
Kids can try their luck at the pond and reel in a trout for charity. A turn at throwing a line in the water will coast $2, with all proceeds going to support Cloverdale’s Storehouse Community Hub Society.
Hugh said another attraction that will be coming this year—in keeping with the rodeo and fair’s goal of educating people on the farm to table pathway—will focus on giving kids a fun, interactive farm experience.
The Evergreen Herbs & Heppell Potato Mini Farm will also be located outside Farm Friendz.
“We’ve got a couple of new community partners this year, Evergreen Herbs and Heppell’s Potato Corporation,” he explained.
Ron and TJ Brar own Evergreen Herbs and they also own the Surrey Eagles and Tyler Heppell owns the potato corporation and also started Ugly Potato Day, held on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds
“Kids will have an opportunity to come to this new zone and get their hands in the dirt and walk away with something that they can take home and grow.”
Hugh said for both attractions, being year one, it will be a time to work out the kinks with an eye to expand them next year so that they’re even bigger and better.
“The rodeo is full speed ahead and these new attractions are no different,” he added. “As far as the venues and the space on the fairgrounds, we’re good to go.”
Other new attractions aimed at kids of all ages this year include: Little Rodeo Pro, free public Ice skating at the new Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex (rentals not included), and mini golf – located in the Indigenous Village, golfers of all ages can enjoy a free round at this pop-up mini golf course.
To find tickets, visit cloverdalerodeo.com.