Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo

The Chilliwack Fair and Rodeo is a country fair and agricultural exhibition that features farm animals, concerts and antique displays in August.

Chilliwack Fair 2020

In 2020 the Chilliwack Fair was going to celebrate its 148th year on the weekend of August 7th to 9th. However, due to COVID-19, all in-person activities were cancelled and the fair took place in a revised virtual format instead.

Chilliwack Fair Location

In years when there isn’t a global pandemic, the event typically takes place at the Chilliwack Heritage Park at 7590 Lickman Road in the town of Chilliwack which is located in the Fraser Valley. It’s close to 100 km from downtown Vancouver, or just over an hour’s drive (in good traffic).

Fair Hours & Admission

The Chilliwack Fair is usually open from 9 am until 9 pm on both the Friday and Saturday, and from 9 am until 5 pm on the Sunday.

Tickets at the gate normally cost around $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and youth (ages 6-18). Families (with up to 2 adults) can get in for $35 and children ages 5 and under are free.

TIP: If you buy your tickets in advance you’ll save a couple of dollars most years (except on family passes which are still $35).

Chilliwack Fair Activities

The Chilliwack Fair is a fairly typical small-town country fair with farm animals to look at both outdoors and in buildings, vendors selling home and garden products, and country fair competitions. There are pig races, horse shows, agricultural demonstrations, magic shows and various forms of live entertainment.

At the fair there are also pony rides and carriage rides as well as cooking, First Nations wood carving and sheep shearing demonstrations. Animals to look at include everything from cows to chickens to llamas. There is also a model railway to see.

What you won’t find at the Chilliwack Fair is a midway with mechanized amusement rides. There are bouncy castles, however, plus lots of other fun activities for children.

Kids’ Zone with Bouncy Castles at Chilliwack Fair

Fair Program Schedule

In addition to the various animal shows and competitions, below were schedule highlights from the 2019 fair and rodeo. Hopefully 2021 details are similar.

Friday, August 9th, 2019

10:00 am – Rabbit Showmanship (Barn 2)
11:00 am – Creation Station (11 am – 7 pm, Barn 2)
11:30 am – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
12:00 pm – Rides Open
12:30 pm – Cake Decorating (Rogers Stage)
1:00 pm – Magic Show (CAPP Energy Zone)
1:00 pm – Lumberjack Show with the Laughing Loggers (Fun Field)
2:00 pm – Parade of Power
2:30 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
3:00 pm – Magic Show (CAPP Energy Zone)
4:00 pm – Lumberjack Show with the Laughing Loggers (Fun Field)
4:30 pm – Kids’ Candy Scramble (ATA Oval)
5:00 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
6:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies (Grand Stand)
8:30 pm – Concrete Jungle, Cold Chain and Trevor McDonald (Chances Stage)

Saturday, August 10th, 2019

9:00 am – Barrel Racing (Grand Stand)
10:00 am – Magic Show (CAPP Energy Zone)
10:30 am – Pie Receiving (Barn 1)
11:00 am – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
12:00 pm – Lumberjack Show with the Laughing Loggers (Fun Field)
12:30 pm – Zucchini Car Races (Barn 1)
1:00 pm – Tractor Pull (Fun Field)
2:00 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
2:30 pm – Magic Show (with Gary Savard in the CAPP Energy Zone)
3:30 pm – Chilliwack Dance School (Fun Field)
4:00 pm – Kerry Cake Decorating (Rogers Stage)
5:00 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
6:00 pm – Chilliwack Rodeo (Grand Stand)
8:00 pm – Movie Night (Barn 2)
8:30 pm – Reckless, a Bryan Adams Tribute Band (Chances Stage)

Sunday, August 11th, 2019

10:00 am – Magic Show (CAPP Energy Zone)
10:30 am – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
11:00 am – Lumberjack Show with the Laughing Loggers (Fun Field)
12:00 pm – Rides Open
12:30 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Fun Field)
1:00 pm – Lumberjack Show with the Laughing Loggers (Fun Field)
1:30 pm – Chilliwack Rodeo (in the Grandstands)
2:30 pm – Kids Candy Scramble (ATA Oval)
3:00 pm – Richard’s Racers Pig Races (Multi-Field)
4:00 pm – Magic Show (CAPP Energy Zone)

Richards Racers Pigs in Action — Richards Racers Pig Races

Full Chilliwack Fair Schedules

For a more complete outline of what happens on the different days, including animal shows and other events like cooking demonstrations and special kids’ activities, check out the following website:

Weekend Fair Schedule

Chilliwack Rodeo

At the Chilliwack Fair there is also a small rodeo which runs for a couple of hours each day. Events at the Chilliwack Rodeo most years include bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping.

Atchelitz Pioneer Village

The Atchelitz Threshermen’s Association is an organization that preserves farm equipment and other artifacts of historical significance. They run the Atchelitz Pioneer Village which features a small museum, displays of old agricultural equipment and an outdoor village featuring a collection of heritage buildings.

Admission to the Atchelitz Pioneer Village is by donation. Be sure to check it out while you’re at the fair!