At a time when many festivals and community events across B.C. are scaling back or taking a hiatus, one of the province’s longest-running traditions is heading in the opposite direction.
The Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair returns May 14 to 18 with its largest program to date, expanding to five days, introducing new experiences, and delivering the biggest entertainment lineup in its history.
Now celebrating its 135th Country Fair and 78th Rodeo, the event has been a cornerstone of the Cloverdale community since 1888, evolving alongside the region while staying grounded in its agricultural roots and volunteer-driven spirit.
However, deep community roots and multi-generation traditions aren’t the only reasons the event has grown into a celebration that attracts attendees from around the globe.
The event’s ever-expanding range of attractions provides an “Original Kind of Country” that connects with longtime attendees and new community members alike. It is this spirit of growth and inclusivity that has driven the event to open a day early and to develop new venues for an anticipated crowd of more than 70,000 fairgoers to enjoy this May long weekend.
West Coast Lumberjack Shows feature as part of the expanded Backstretch Action Zone. Lucid Studios photo
New venues and experiences reshape the fairgrounds
Growth in 2026 isn’t just about scale, it’s about reimagining the experience. New and expanded spaces like Rodeo Reds, the Backstretch Action Zone, and the Buckaroo Kids Stage are transforming how visitors move through the fairgrounds, offering everything from live music and line dancing to high-adrenaline motorsports and family-friendly entertainment.
Gates officially open at 4 p.m. with the new Thursday night fairgrounds opening, which features a suite of fair favourite experiences for just $5 per adult, with kids 12 and under receiving free fairgrounds admission for the Thursday events.
Special programming on “kickoff night” includes music, rides, food trucks, and introduces a series of exclusive experiences, including the Rodeo Sneak-a-Peek, a free rodeo-themed show at the Stetson Bowl, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at how athletes and animals prepare for the weekend.
Across the full weekend, new and expanded features offer a diverse range of activities, from heart-pounding performances to laid-back moments with family and friends. Hundreds of acts and attractions are included free with a $18 fairgrounds admission ticket (12 and younger receive free fairgrounds admission).
Examples of new fairgrounds experiences include the expanded Action Zone, now known as Backstretch Action Zone, which brings demolition derby, freestyle motocross, lumberjack shows, rock climbing, and interactive attractions into a single high-energy hub, and the Skateboard Stampede, which brings together world-renowned skateboarders, BMX riders, and breakers in a new venue adjacent to the Cloverdale Recreation Centre.
Next door to the Skateboard Stampede and across the grounds, families will find even more to explore, including new attractions such as the Buckaroo Kids Corral, interactive farm experiences, catch-and-release fishing, mini golf, and expanded kids’ experiences throughout the weekend.
With so much happening at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds over the weekend, event organizers encourage attendees to pick up a schedule and map to plan their trip to the fairgrounds. The schedule is available on the event website.
Trooper headlining at the 2025 Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. Jon Benjamin Photography
A growing music festival
The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone: the music lineup includes more than 100 artists performing across 10 stages. This is the first time the event has eclipsed the century mark for stage performances, making it one of B.C.’s biggest music festivals alongside a full slate of rodeo action, attractions, and family programming.
New this year is a fifth day of programming: Thursday night opens with the Country Fair Kickoff Concert. A major addition that signals the event’s continued growth. This signature event includes headline performances by Brett Kissel and Cooper Alan in the Longhorn Saloon, with Morgan Klaiber opening the show.
The lineup of weekend attractions continues to expand, too. Notably, this year’s five headline acts are another event record, and each headliner brings a unique flavour to the music scene. Headline performances on the CR Corral Main Stage include:
k-os – Friday, May 15 @ 8 p.m.
Tony Stevens – Saturday, May 16 @ 7:30 p.m.
The Strumbellas – Saturday, May 16 @ 9 p.m.
Gord Bamford – Sunday, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m.
The Road Hammers – Sunday, May 17 @ 9:15 p.m.
From country and rock to Indigenous performers and emerging local talent, the scale and diversity of the music lineup reflect a broader evolution, positioning the event as both a major festival and a community gathering.
Pamela Morrison competes in the 2025 Cloverdale Rodeo barrel racing competition. Sean Libin photo
Rodeo remains at the heart of it all, with a new twist
The rodeo remains the centrepiece of the entire event. As B.C.’s biggest rodeo, the Cloverdale Invitational continues to attract top-tier competitors from around the world, including Canadian and world champions competing across five professional performances. With $300,000 in prize money and a unique invitational format, the rodeo delivers both world-class sport and 78 years of tradition.
Among the names to watch this year is Jake Gardner, from Fort St. John, B.C., the current world No. 1 bull rider and recent Houston Rodeo champion, an example of the elite-level talent that keeps Cloverdale firmly on the global rodeo circuit.
The five Stetson Bowl performances are also evolving and expanding, too. The new Rodeo Tailgate Party, held 90 minutes before each rodeo performance, adds a social, festival-style lead-in to one of the event’s biggest draws.
This year’s new rodeo host, Cowboi Cole, emcees contestant interviews and live performances by Alberta Country Music Award Winner, Julia Vos. In the ring, the four rodeo events will be joined by new entertainment from Cowboi Cole, trick riders, and featured performances by Foxx Worthee.
Volunteers selling 50/50 tickets in support of the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation Charity. Sarah Parker photo
Powered by community
Despite its size and continued growth, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair remains fundamentally a community event. A record 400+ volunteers will contribute their time to help bring the event to life for tens of thousands of attendees. This grassroots involvement is part of what has sustained the fair for more than a century.
Proceeds from the event are reinvested directly into the community, supporting infrastructure projects, local organizations like the Storehouse Society, and youth-focused initiatives through the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation.
Fans make their way down the main street from the 2025 Saturday afternoon rodeo performance. Lucid Studios photo
A tradition that continues to evolve
From its beginnings as a small agricultural fair in 1888 to a five-day festival drawing crowds from across the region, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair continues to grow in step with its community. In 2026, that evolution is on full display through expanded programming, record-setting entertainment, and new experiences that reflect changing audiences.
At a time when many events are pulling back, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is proving that with strong community roots and a willingness to adapt, traditions don’t just survive, they thrive.