The Royal Victorian Party at Stewart Farm is an event on the May Long Weekend in Surrey’s Elgin Heritage Park that includes cake, dancers and Queen Victoria.
Stewart Farm on the May Long Weekend
The Victoria Day festivities at Stewart Farm are free and usually happen on the Saturday or Sunday of the May Long weekend. The venue’s address is 13723 Crescent Road.
In 2019 the Royal Victorian Party took place from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm on May 19th. The event didn’t happen in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event probably didn’t happen in 2021 either, and 2022 details are to be confirmed.
The Royal Victorian Party
In years when they do happen, the Victoria Day weekend celebrations at Stewart Farm usually take place on the Sunday afternoon. The day features dance performances, an appearance by Queen Victoria, free birthday cake and a selection of family friendly activities.
The May Long Weekend event is a small affair, but free and worth checking out, especially when they also offer free lemonade and old-fashioned homemade ice cream.
In years when it does take place, expect there to be between about 100 and 150 people at the event on a sunny day, so there’s lots of cake to go around. Volunteers are in period costumes, the Queen is available for taking photos with, and there are informal games to play like croquet. The historic house is also open for viewing.
Entertainment at the Event
Regular performers at the Royal Victorian Party each year include the Vancouver Morris Men and the Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers.
These local English folk-dance groups put on a great show with their traditional costumes, rhythmic dance steps and musical entertainment. Be sure to stay and watch their shows.
2022 event and entertainment details are to be confirmed.
Stewart Farm & Surrounding Area
Stewart Farm is a historic site at Elgin Heritage Park close to Crescent Beach in Surrey. While in the area, plan to stay long enough to explore the park and its walking trails, and to visit the waterfront at Crescent Beach which is especially splendid at low tide on a sunny day.
Tips and Advice
Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your trip to Stewart Farm.
TIP # 1: There are nice trails at Elgin Heritage Park, both near the waterfront and through the forest. There is also a great walking path along the shore at Crescent Beach.
Take good walking shoes for either place, bicycles for a ride between the two locations, and sandcastle-building tools if going to the beach at low tide.
TIP # 2: Dogs are welcome at Stewart Farm and Elgin Heritage Park, but not at the main waterfront park at Crescent Beach. If taking your pooch, leave the beach for another day.
TIP # 3: The farmhouse at Stewart Farm is a heritage home with stairs and, being original, no elevator. Consequently, it’s not wheelchair accessible. The grounds around the house are primarily grass lawns, which are beautiful, but also not the easiest to get around if in a wheelchair.
Other Information
To learn more about the historic site, see our Stewart Farm article.
For other historic sites like Stewart Farm, see Vancouver’s Best Places for History.
For more ideas on things to do on the May Long Weekend, see Victoria Day in the Lower Mainland. And for festivals and events at other times of the year, check out Vancouver’s Festivals and Events Calendar.
Other similar historic sites in the Lower Mainland include the following:
- Haney House (in Maple Ridge)
- Kilby Historic Site (near Harrison Hot Springs)
- London Heritage Farm (near Richmond’s Steveston Village)
- Mackin House (in Coquitlam)
- Old Hastings Mill Store (in Vancouver near Jericho Beach)
- Roedde House (in Vancouver’s West End)
