May Makes Spring Marvellous
by Ursula Maxwell-Lewis
May has always been considered a family frenetic month on my calendar. It’s a feel which really began on May 1, 1972, when I had the pleasure of telephoning my mom in Toronto at 9 am to wish her a happy birthday and to announce the birth of her best birthday present ever – a grandson. Two years later her Mother’s Day ‘gift’ was the arrival of her first granddaughter on May 11. These memories will explain, in part, why May, and the family-friendly Surrey events below, inspire my affection for this beautiful Spring month. By the way, Mother’s Day is May 12 this year!
Don’t miss the Royal Victoria Party, May 19, 11 am to 3 pm, at the Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey. Fun for all ages – and free!
Cloverdale Bed Races, a local ‘gotta go’ tradition, turns 176A Street into a wacky foot race track from 5.45 pm to 7.30 pm. High stakes for the Bed Pan, Chamber Pot and Stone Pig mean no sleeping on the job.
The 131st Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair fires Lower Mainland families up with “Back to Country” thrills and spills on Victoria Day Weekend (May 17-20).
Admire the Ladies Barrel Racers’ impressive Grand Entry as they open each Stetson Bowl rodeo performance, grab a hot dog and candy floss in the Midway, and check out the Agri Fair designed to give city slickers some insight into where groceries really come from.
Kids love the Surrey International Children’s Festival at Bear Creek Park. This year’s dates are May 23-25 from 9 am to 2.30 pm. Loads of music, arts and crafts!
Museum of Surrey in Cloverdale features Worlds of Wonder constructed with LEGO through to September 8. Free admission. Closed Mondays.
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a Surrey writer and photographer. Contact her at utravel@shaw.ca