\u2018Amazing\u2019 Legionpalooza held at Cloverdale Legion<\/p>\n
Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2026<\/p>\n
Perhaps the province\u2019s biggest ever music festival\u2014in terms of number of bands\u2014was held in Cloverdale over B.C. Day weekend.<\/p>\n
The inaugural Legionpalooza took over the Cloverdale Legion from July 31-Aug. 3 as dozens of bands and singers hit the stage over four days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty amazing,\u201d said Gregory Crane, event organizer for the Cloverdale Legion. \u201cWe had 32 bands, all of them showed up on time and it went flawlessly, actually. We didn\u2019t even have a hiccup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crane said more than 1,300 people came through the Legion\u2019s doors for the music fest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had all sorts of genres,\u201d he added. \u201cThe bands all brought their best and the music was fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said several bands also played original music. For some bands, it was the first time they\u2019d performed live together.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a showcase of local talent. A lot of local singers and songwriters. They all performed very well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crane said kudos need to be given to Legion staff, the bands, and the more than 20 volunteers who made the event run so smoothly. Many of the volunteers weren\u2019t even Legion members.<\/p>\n
He said the event even helped grow Cloverdale Legion membership with nearly 200 new people signing up. (The Canadian Legion is offering free memberships in 2026 in celebration of its centennial.)<\/p>\n
Crane put the event together in less than a month. It included a silent auction and 50\/50 draws. All silent auction items were donated by the Cloverdale business community. T-shirt sales, donations, bar sales, the auction, and 50\/50 draws all helped propel them toward their fundraising goal.<\/p>\n
He said he thinks Legionpalooza was a trailblazing event.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom people in the industry that I\u2019ve talked to, it\u2019s the first of its kind,\u201d Crane noted. \u201cThere\u2019s never been 32 bands on a weekend, ever, in B.C. And every one of them donated their time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legionpalooza was held as a fundraiser so the Legion can get some much-needed renos done to its 85-year-old building ahead of its own 100th anniversary celebrations set for March 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been the home to live music for 85 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crane said the siding needs to be replaced along with some other critical updates to extend the life of the venue for years to come.<\/p>\n
He added the weekend festivities were all about the Cloverdale and Surrey coming together<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really thankful to the community and the volunteers, who made this all happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crane said Legionpalooza will return on B.C. Day weekend in 2027.<\/p>\n
The Legion is still accepting donations for its renovation project. To donate, people can visit the Legion in person, or email legion6venue@gmail.com for more info.<\/p>\n