Pro basketball, markets, and cars: June’s can’t miss events in the Fraser Valley

An English poet from the 1500s, Thomas Tusser, is credited for coining the phrase “April showers bring May flowers.” Clearly, with a string of unseasonably cold and wet weather, that saying didn’t apply to the Fraser Valley last month.

However, just because May didn’t provide the warm weather we all hoped for, it doesn’t mean that we can’t look forward to June!

June signifies promise.

It’s a time where you’re about to finish school or enjoy some time away from work. It’s a time for doing all the things you wanted to do (but couldn’t) during the doldrums of winter. It’s the time for making memories before returning to your regular routine in the fall.

June is the gateway month to possibility. Now, it’s time to kick off summer with our monthly guide to some of the events that are happening in the Fraser Valley over the next four weeks.

While this is far from a comprehensive list, every newsletter (subscribe below) features upcoming events in our ‘Around Town’ section. Each month, we’ll try to highlight a selection of events and things to do, including visits by high-profile stars, and things to see and do that may otherwise slip under your radar.

Professional basketball in Langley

The Fraser Valley Bandits will host the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the home opener of their inaugural season at the Langley Events Centre on June 4. The team played its previous seasons in Abbotsford drawing thousands to each game. After advancing to the Canadian Elite Basketball League finals in 2020, the Bandits made the playoffs for the second time last season but were knocked off in the semi-finals. 

They’ll look to avenge that defeat and make the playoffs for the third season in a row this summer. Ticket details can be found here. 

Mission Sunset Market 

In Mission, the second of four summer Sunset Markets will take place on June 14. The event highlights local produce, plants, and the work of Fraser Valley-based artisans and vendors. Food trucks and live games will be on site in addition to the vendors located at Fraser River Heritage Park. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 4pm. 

Movies under the stars 

Want to be outside, without fully being outside? Hop in your car and mosey down to Langley’s Twilight drive-in where you can watch a movie from your car. With the movie audio playing through your car’s radio, you can fully embrace the 80’s nostalgia by checking out one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, Top Gun: Maverick, which will be screened until June 9. 

Campout in Hope

A two-day campout in Hope will bring together LGBT+ people and allies looking to celebrate Pride. From June 3-5, Queertopia Campout is set to have live DJ music, nightly drag show. You can sign up online and join folks from across the Pacific northwest who are looking to take part in an event that will foster love and inclusion. 

Sweet cars, for a sweeter cause

A fundraiser in Chilliwack is giving back to the city’s hospital while also showing off some of the slickest old rides in the valley. Situated on the old CFB Chilliwack grounds, at  Hosted on the corner of Caen Avenue and Sicily Road, the Fraser Valley car show has six different categories ranging from collector cars and classics to motorcycles. Participants pay $10 to register their vehicle in the show, and $15 on the day of the event, June 11, with all proceeds going to the Chilliwack regional hospital. 

Two for one in Abbotsford 

One ticket can get you into two events at the Tradex in Abbotsford this month—the West Coast Women’s Show and Summerfest country music festival. The West Coast Women’s show features over 250 vendors, boutiques, and artisans. Meanwhile, the music festival will highlight 12 BC country music stars including Aaron Pritchett. There will also be a food truck festival and beer garden at the events taking place June 10-12. 

The return of Cultus Lake Day  

After two years of cancellations, parties and pancakes are slated to return to Cultus Lake on June 25. Beginning with a pancake breakfast at 8:30am, the annual Cultus Lake Day will kick off summer with a parade ending at Main beach. Other scheduled activities include an afternoon farmers and artisan market and fireworks show at 10pm. 

The trail

This month’s favourite trail is a great and short summer lunchtime get-away: the lower loop of Old Riverside Trail in Abbotsford. Park off Horn Street, off of Maclure Road, and walk into the bottom part of Old Riverside Park. More a walk than a hike, the trail will take you along boardwalks and uphill, in a loop, through a secluded forest. It’s a perfect 30-minute trek when the sun is hot, but you want to get out for a walk at lunchtime while not working up too much of a sweat. Have a trail we should spotlight? Email [email protected] for the location and why people should try it.

Last month, we showcased the family-friendly hike to the top of Mt. Thom.