What you need to know about new things at the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair
Published 11:00 pm Thursday, May 14, 2026
Surrey’s famous rodeo and fair returns to the Cloverdale Fairgrounds this weekend.
The Cloverdale Rodeo is celebrating its 78th anniversary and the Cloverdale Country Fair is celebrating its 135th.
The Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association (CREA) has added several new attractions this year. Here’s what you need to know about the top 11 new things at rodeo.
NEW IN 2026
1.) Thursday Night Kickoff
The Cloverdale Fairgrounds open early with a dedicated Thursday night experience. Admission is just $5 (free for kids 12-and-under). Highlights include live performances across multiple stages, a free rodeo event, and food trucks, midway rides, and more. The Kickoff Concert features Brett Kissell and Cooper Alan.
2.) Rodeo Sneak-a-Peek
An up-close and behind-the-scenes event will allow visitors to see rodeo crews gets ready for the big show on the weekend. The one-night-only show features trick riders, entertainment, and the show’s animal stars in the Stetson Bowl. Free with Fairgrounds admission.
3.) Rodeo Drone Show
To fly on Friday night (May 15) at 10 p.m and again on Sunday night(May 17) at 9:20 p.m., the drone show will light up the Fairgrounds night. CREA is calling it a “can’t-miss visual experience.” (Also free with Fairgrounds admission.) Following the Friday drone show, headliner k-os will perform on the CR Main Stage. The Sunday show is scheduled for 9:20 between the headline performances of Gord Bamford and The Road Hammers.
4.) Rodeo Tailgate Party
A brand-new Rodeo Tailgate Party will being 90 minutes before every rodeo performance. This pre-show experience will be hosted by Cowboi Cole and Julia Vos and will have music, food, and entertainment before the cowgirls and cowboys hit the rodeo arena. (Admission included with your Rodeo performance ticket.)
5.) Expanded Rodeo Reds
Rodeo Reds will be in a bigger venue this year. Set north of the Longhorn, it will feature a bigger lineup of live music and DJs, line dancing lessons, and more throughout the weekend. Organizers note Friday night includes “a special North Country Collective takeover, bringing a dynamic collaborative performance experience to the grounds.”
6.) Backstretch Action Zone
The new area, set in the old parking lot of the backstretch north of the now-demolished barns, the new Action Zone will have several high-adrenaline events, including: Demolition Derby, Global FMX Freestyle Motocross Stunt Show, West Coast Lumberjack Shows, Axe throwing, the Outlaw Bar, three signature food trucks, and a climbing wall.
7.) Expanded Farm Friendz
In addition to the plethora of kid friendly faves set up in The Barn, Farm Friends will now include two new major attractions outside Cloverdale Arena. 1.) Silverbrook Trout Farm Catch & Release Fishing will offer kids a chance to cast a line in an on-site pond and hopefully reel in a fish ($2/person with proceeds supporting Storehouse Community Hub Society). 2.) Evergreen Herbs & Heppell Potato Mini Farm. Kids will be able to dig in and have fun with this interactive farm experience.
8.) Little Rodeo Pro
An interactive rodeo-themed attraction in the Indigenous Village. Little Rodeo Pro offers young buckaroos a chance to hone their rodeo skills on a timed course. Kids can try their hand at roping, racing around barrels, and even riding a mechanical bull.
9.) Free Skating
A sheet at the new Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex will be open all weekend for free public skating (rentals not included.)
10.) Mini Golf
Located in the Indigenous Village area, duffers of all ages can enjoy a free round at this pop-up mini golf course.
11.) 2+3 Weekend Pass
The new “2+3” offers rodeo- and fair-goers a 5-day weekend pass for the price of two days ($36, plus taxes and fees, for adults with kids 12 and under getting in free).
The first Cloverdale Rodeo was held in 1945 and the first Country Fair was held in 1888.
Tickets for the rodeo are on sale now. Visit cloverdalerodeo.com to grab some.
