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The Abbotsford Agrifair

Abbotsford Agrifair Amusement Rides

The Abbotsford Agrifair is an agricultural fair that features amusement rides, 4-H shows, live music and other activities at Exhibition Park in the summer.

In 2023, the event ran on the BC Day Long Weekend of August 4th to 6th. Exact dates for the event in 2024 are to be confirmed.

For the event’s official website, visit agrifair.ca.

 


Information in this article includes the following topics:

Dates & Location | Admission Rates | Events & Activities | Friday Schedule | Saturday Schedule | Sunday Schedule | Concert Stage Entertainment | Agrifair Video | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Click on any of the above links to jump to specific information, or continue reading to learn all about the Abbotsford Agrifair.


 

Agricultural Fair in Abbotsford

Billing itself as the “biggest little country fair since 1909,” the Abbotsford Agrifair is an annual event in the Fraser Valley which is one of, if not, the most important farming regions in the Lower Mainland.

Abbotsford is in the heart of farm country and the event is a major community affair. Vancouver’s Best Places is a proud media sponsor of the event.

 

Agrifair Dates & Location

In 2023 the Abbotsford Agrifair was on August 4th to 6th which was the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August Long Weekend. The fair is held at the Abbotsford Exhibition Park at 32470 Haida Drive. The event ran from noon to 10:00 pm on Friday and from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

 

Abbotsford Agrifair at Exhibition Park
Abbotsford Agrifair at Exhibition Park

 

Agrifair Admission Rates

General admission to the fair is $14 for those aged 13+, $8 for those aged 6 to 12, and free for children aged 5 and under. Weekend wristbands are also available for $23 per person. These prices are a fabulous deal as they typically include admission to most venues at the fair.

Rides cost extra and parking is $7 per vehicle (with no in-and-out privileges).

 


For the most up-to-date information about the event see the Abbotsford Agrifair website.


 

Amusement Ride Rates

In 2022 individual tickets for the rides at the Abbotsford Agrifair cost about $1.50 each or $25 for a book of 20. Little kid-type rides took between three and four tickets and more serious rides required between four and five. The most expensive ride was the Zipper which cost six tickets per trip. Prices for amusement rides in 2023 were comparable.

For 2023’s event, weekend wristbands were also available for $23. These gave unlimited access to all the rides. If you wanted to hang out on the Zipper or some of the other rides all day, this was a comparatively good deal.

Note: Shooting Star Amusements’ ride tickets are non-refundable, so don’t buy more than you need. The tickets never expire, however, so if you don’t use them all up you can usually use them at the Abbotsford Agrifair another day, another year or even at a whole other event in the future.

 

Abbotsford Agrifair Midway
The Midway at the Abbotsford Agrifair

 

Agrifair Events & Activities

There is so much to see and do at the Abbotsford Agrifair. There is something for everyone in fact, which makes it a fabulous multi-generational event. Here’s what visitors can typically see and do at the event in most years:

  • 4-H and Competitive Show – an on-site agri-tour featuring animals, decorated stalls and educational displays.
  • Abbotsford BMX Bike Show – impressive motocross jumping and other vehicular stunts on Saturday.
  • Amusement Rides – there is a good selection of rides and other carnival attractions at the Abbotsford Agrifair.
  • Brickville – these certified LEGO professionals, when attending in the past, have some fantastic displays to share, and there have been some LEGO giveaways as well.
  • Cinemazoo – not your ordinary collection of animals, these four-legged or winged friends are talented and ready to perform.
  • Country Horse Classic – joined by the Strathcona Mounted Troop, the Country Horse Classic includes performances of the Musical Ride, a Draft Horse Demonstration and more.
  • Demolition Derby – a series of entertaining events that feature cars racing around a track and crashing into each another.
  • Fraser Valley Antique Farm and Machinery Display – a fascinating collection of old farm equipment and a look back at local history.
  • The Laughing Loggers – a logger show that features daily performances.

 

Concert Stage Entertainment

One of the biggest additions to the 2021 schedule with the updated restrictions was the return of the Main Stage concert series, which happened again in 2022. It’s free with admission, and folks just bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the shows. The schedule of headliners for 2022 is listed below. At the time of writing, details for 2023’s entertainment lineup were to be confirmed.

  • Friday, July 29th, 2022 – Karima Essa, Saint Soldier, Blues HooDoo, Ryan McAllister and U4.
  • Saturday, July 30th, 2022 – Karen Lee Batten, We are One (Drag and Comedy Show), The Springmans, and Time and the Glory Boys.

 


For the Abbotsford Agrifair’s official website visit agrifair.ca.


 

Ryan McAllister in Concert
Ryan McAllister at the Agrifair in 2022

 

Fun Events in Previous Years

Some other favourite Agrifair activities most years (but not in 2022) include the following:

  • BC DeLorean – a collection of famous movie cars including Herbie the Love Bug, the Jurassic Park Jeep and yes, Doc Brown’s DeLorean.
  • Bison and Buffalo – two of North America’s signature animals, they are quite impressive to see up close and in person.
  • Curbside Circus  a roving crew of jugglers, acrobats, stilt-walkers and more.
  • Military Display – veterans are on hand to show some of the vehicles they use and what life in camp looks like.
  • Richards Racers Pigs & Ducks – pig and duck races with Buffalo Bill Beaulieu.

 

Agrifair Events Schedule

Below was the schedule of events for the Abbotsford Agrifair in 2022. 2023 was likely comparable.

 


Friday, July 29th, 2022


 

(Note: Times and other details were subject to change.)

  • 2:00 pm – Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 2:15 pm – Tractor Parade (Upper Grounds)
  • 2:30 pm – White Thunder Dancer Theatre (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 3:00 pm – Monster Foam Party (Upper Grounds)
  • 3:30 pm – Karima Essa (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 3:45 pm – Threshing Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 4:00 pm – 4-H Opening Ceremonies (Upper Grounds)
  • 4:15 pm – Saint Soldier (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 5:00 pm – Country Horse Classic Event (Agrifair Arena)
  • 5:30 pm – Mill Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 6:00 pm – Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 7:00 pm – Demo Derby (Thunderbowl)
  • 8:00 pm – Blues Hoodoo (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 8:45 pm – Ryan McAllister (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)

 


Saturday, July 30th, 2022


 

(Note: Times and other details were subject to change.)

  • 2:00 pm – Howe Middle School Band (Ball Diamond/Main Stage) and Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 2:15 pm – Tractor Parade (Upper Grounds)
  • 3:00 pm – Monster Foam Party (Upper Grounds) and Demo Derby (Thunderbowl)
  • 3:45 pm – Threshing Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 4:15 pm – Abbotsford BMX (Thunderbowl)
  • 5:00 pm – Country Horse Classic Event (Agrifair Arena)
  • 5:30 pm – Mill Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 6:00 pm – Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 7:00 pm – Demo Derby (Thunderbowl)
  • 8:00 pm – Karen Lee Batten (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 9:30 pm – We Are One (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)

 


Sunday, July 31st, 2022


 

(Note: Times and other details were subject to change.)

  • 2:00 pm – Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 2:15 pm – Tractor Parade (Upper Grounds)
  • 3:00 pm – Monster Foam Party (Upper Grounds) and Demo Derby (Thunderbowl)
  • 3:45 pm – Threshing Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 4:00 pm – 4-H Closing Ceremonies (Upper Grounds)
  • 5:00 pm – Country Horse Classic Event (Agrifair Arena)
  • 5:30 pm – Mill Demo (Upper Grounds)
  • 6:00 pm – Laughing Loggers Show (Lower Grounds)
  • 7:00 pm – Demo Derby (Thunderbowl)
  • 8:00 pm – The Springmans (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)
  • 9:15 pm – Tim & The Glory Boys (Ball Diamond/Main Stage)

 

For the most up-to-date information click Agrifair 2022 Schedule.

 

BC Day Long Weekend

 

Agrifair Video

Below is a video showcasing some of the events and activities at the Abbotsford Agrifair most years.

Included in the video are views from the Ferris wheel, Richard’s Racers pig races, the demolition derby, and motocross jumping stunts. Also featured in the video is the RCMP Musical Ride which visited the Agrifair in 2018.

Things not included in the video are the lumberjack shows, evening concerts, animal displays and lots of other fun stuff.

There are so many amazing things to see and do at the Agrifair.

 

 

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your visit to the Abbotsford Agrifair the next time you go.

TIP #1: We highly recommend the Motocross events (in years when they take place). The motorcycle jumps and stunts are amazing! The Demolition Derby can be pretty fun to watch too.

TIP #2: If you want a seat in the bleachers for the Motocross or Demolition Derby events, get to the respective venues early, and well before show time. On busy days and at popular times, the seats fill up quickly.

TIP #3: If you have young children with sensitive ears, consider letting them use ear plugs or ear protectors of some kind. Most children will love the show, but it can get pretty loud and folks with extra-sensitive hearing may want to cover their ears.

TIP #4: Take a hat and sunscreen and be sure to keep hydrated if it’s a sunny day. It can get hot out in Abbotsford!

 

Other Information

To learn more about the event, see the Abbotsford Agrifair website.

For ideas on other things to do and see in the area, click Fraser Valley or Abbotsford.

For a list of other events this time of year, see the August Event Calendar.

To learn about other events in the Lower Mainland throughout the year, see the Festivals & Events Calendar.

For a list of other activities on the August Long Weekend, click BC Day Weekend Events.