Summer is officially here! Today’s summer solstice marks the start of the season and there are tons of fun, local activities and events we’re already looking forward to.
The beginning of summer festival season is right on the horizon with our annual Canada Day parade and celebration in Exhibition Park on July 1. Be sure to wave to us at the parade and stick around until the evening for the fireworks display! Coming on the heels of Canada Day is our annual salute to our berry farmers, Berry Fest, in our historic downtown on July 12. In August we pay tribute to our agriculture and aerospace sectors, with the Abbotsford Agrifair sprouting up over the Aug. 1 weekend, and the Abbotsford International Airshow touching down the following weekend.
Those are the biggest events happening over the next couple months, but there are also countless smaller events going on all the time in Abbotsford. To keep up with what’s happing in our community, visit the local events calendar at goabbotsford.ca.
With so much to do right here in Abbotsford, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the warm, sunny weather. Our parks and trails are ripe for walking, biking and picnics; our agri-tourism destinations are up and running with their outdoor dining and farm-to-table fare; and our historic downtown is sure to be a bustle of activity with locals and visitors alike exploring our unique local businesses.
Making the most of all Abbotsford has to offer not only supports our local economy, it can also help us all develop a greater appreciation of and connection to our city. As a City Council, we envision Abbotsford as an inclusive, connected and complete community, and nurturing a sense of civic pride and community mindedness is part of that.
If you’re looking for suggestions for more summer fun, here are a few activities that members of Council are looking forward to doing this summer:
Mayor Siemens
“I am looking forward to our Canada Day celebrations. Bringing our dynamic and diverse community together to celebrate our great country and the values that unite us is always a highlight. I am also looking forward to the fireworks finale at Exhibition Park.”
Councillor Chahal
"I am hoping to attend every local market this summer and enjoy the outdoors as much as I can. I am looking forward to the festivities coming up including Canada Day, and other community cultural celebrations with my family and friends. I hope these experiences will help me along with my new passion of painting, and with the colourful events juxtaposed by our mountains and natural beauty, I am sure I will be inspired."
Councillor Driessen
“Last year we had such a fun time at the Agrifair — counting car flips at the demolition derby and watching the Extreme Dog Show was a highlight for our family. This summer, we’re looking forward to going back to see the Monster Spectacular and making more fun memories.”
Councillor Gibson
“I run year-round (most mornings) but only ride my bike in the summer months — when there is no rain — because the racing design and treadless tires could make it dangerous. I like to ride around our community and out to Yarrow where my oldest daughter and her family lives. I sometimes ride with them on the nearby rural trails. My wife and I live in East Abbotsford which presents the challenge of significant hills.”
Councillor Loewen
“I look forward to relaxing in my backyard and spending time with family.”
Councillor Ross
“Touring the lavender gardens at Tuscan Farm Gardens with the grandkids and enjoying ice cream in their bistro. It’s beautiful and a wonderful experience. Touring the Fraser Valley by bike is high on our list too. There are so many fantastic events such as Agrifair, the Berry Festival, Canada Day, Symphony in the Park and I hope to make them all!”
Councillor Sidhu
“One thing I’m really looking forward to this summer is the Abbotsford International Airshow. I’ve been going since I was a kid. It was a big part of summer growing up here. Now, I get to carry on that tradition with my own family. My daughters love it just as much as I did, and it’s become something we all look forward to every year. It’s such a great community event and a real highlight of the season in Abbotsford.”
Councillor Warkentin
“I will be looking forward to trail running, spending time at Harrison Lake, and hosting summer barbecues. And I’m looking forward to my father’s 90th birthday celebration in July, and having my whole family together in August.”
Abbotsford City Council