Cloverdale Rodeo Association gets 5-year lease from City<\/p>\n
Published 12:00 pm Friday, March 13, 2026<\/p>\n
The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is set for the next five years.<\/p>\n
Surrey City Council voted to approve Corporate Report R056<\/a> at its regular council meeting March 9. The report, from the Parks and Rec. Department, recommended council approve a five-year operating agreement between the City and the Lower Fraser Valley Exhibition Association (LFVEA). The operating agreement, attached to CR056<\/a>, outlines the terms and requirements for the LFVEA\u2014which operates as the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association (CREA)\u2014for hosting rodeos and fairs over the next five years.<\/p>\n Laurie Cavan, Parks and Rec. GM, authored the report. She noted the importance of the annual event.<\/p>\n \u201cThis event is of significant cultural and historical value, not only to the Cloverdale area but also to the broader Surrey community and region,\u201d Cavan wrote. \u201cSince 2023, the City and the LFVEA have entered into annual operating agreements, which have defined the respective roles, responsibilities, and obligations of both parties, as well as provisions regarding event hosting requirements, including health and safety standards.\u201d<\/p>\n She added during the past three years the city has given \u201csubstantial\u201d support to the LFVEA to put on the last three rodeos and fairs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis support has included annual financial contributions of $300,000 and comprehensive logistical assistance, ensuring the safe and enjoyable execution of the event,\u201d Cavan noted. \u201cIn 2025, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair welcomed over 60,000 attendees to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds over the May Long Weekend. With the expansion of the event to include Thursday evening programming, additional entertainment features and increased costs, the annual grant for 2026 is proposed to be increased to $400,000. The grant will ensure that the LFVEA can continue to host a safe and enjoyable event annually.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathy Sheppard, CREA president, said the new agreement is very important to the rodeo association.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re over the moon!\u201d Sheppard exclaimed. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a 5-year contract, so we\u2019re not going anywhere. We\u2019ve got a good working relationship with the city and we\u2019re going to continue to build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n She added the contract allows them to plan better and save money on longer-term contracts.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting this multi-year agreement allows us room to grow, to challenge ourselves to make the rodeo and fair better each year, and to bring in a level of consistency unavailable in shorter-term deals,\u201d Sheppard explained. \u201cSo, we\u2019re excited to see what this next chapter brings.\u201d<\/p>\n Money for the agreement is part of the city\u2019s 2026 City Grants Budget. That budget is subject to yearly city approval.<\/p>\n Approval of the agreement ensures \u201ccontinued collaboration between the City and the LFVEA, supporting the successful planning and delivery of this celebrated annual event,\u201d Cavan concluded in her report. \u201cThe Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is a cornerstone of community engagement and cultural heritage in Surrey.\u201d<\/p>\n The 135th Cloverdale Country Fair and the 78th Cloverdale Rodeo will be held May 14-18 on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.<\/p>\n