Birds, boats, and big markets: What’s up in the Fraser Valley

Spring is marching towards the Fraser Valley. 

Days are getting longer and the air—while it wasn’t exactly cold this year—is getting warmer. Blue sky begins to beam between pockets of dispersing storm clouds. And as it does, the mountains and vales and trails and streams that shape the region are starting to call to its residents once again.

There are plenty of things to do in the Fraser Valley this March. Lots of them involve either exploring the great outdoors or trying to prepare you for your own adventures.

Trade shows

March is a big season for trade shows in the Fraser Valley. Those events, and other expos that follow similar formats, are like big markets. But instead of finding gigantic tomatoes or stylish sweaters for small dogs, expect information on themed innovations and maybe a useful new tool or toy. 

The BC Sportsmen Expo will take over at Abbotsford’s Tradex from March 1 to 3. The market calls itself the largest of its kind in the country, and will host exhibitors hawking everything from fishing lures and beef jerky to boats and ATVs to politics.

The same weekend, Chilliwack’s Heritage Park will host the Women’s Expo. March is Women’s History Month, and the expo said it plans to celebrate that with “the best shopping day ever.” Vintage and pop-up shops, free samples, local artisans, and health-and-wellness-focused vendors will all set up at the expo for the weekend. There will also be a live local fashion show on Friday at 7pm.

Later this month, from March 22 to 24, the BC Outdoors Show will be at Chilliwack’s Heritage Park. The show will have exhibitors focused on hunting, fishing, and other outdoorsy pursuits—as well as speakers, hands-on activities, and a family zone.

Looking for a slightly more musical way to celebrate Women’s History Month? The Fort Langley Golf Course is hosting “The Swiftie Market.” A Taylor-Swift-themed market event with impersonators, a photo booth, a karaoke contest, and a friendship-bracelet making station, the market will run from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, March 9. Entry is free and comes with a chance to win a ticket to the real Taylor’s Vancouver concert next December. 

Spring Breaks

Spring break kicks off near the end of the month at schools throughout the valley. The break itself runs from March 18 to 29 in the Langley, Abbotsford, and Fraser Cascades school districts. Easter happens the following weekend and schools will reopen on April 2. In Chilliwack, spring break starts on the same day, but is only one week long and ends March 24.

Over the break, there are lots of opportunities for kids to get outside or explore other activities throughout the valley. Spring break camps and workshops on different topics will run in many different Fraser Valley communities. Point a bored kid towards one of these options this month.

• Learn all about birds with the Children’s Science Society of Canada at the McLeod Athletic Park in Langley on March 24.

• Play a big game of Dungeons and Dragons at a spring break summer camp from March 25 to 29 at Boardwalk Cafe and Games. Sessions run from 9am to noon and are for adventurers from ages 8 through 14. No experience necessary.

• Join a farming adventure with the Langley Environmental Protection Society’s Spring Break Farm Camp. Kids will get a week of outdoor fun with farm animals, arts and crafts, and nature exploration. Camps run from 9am to 3pm. More info online.

• Explore the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack with their spring break camp. A half-day camp will run from March 25 to 28 for kids aged 5 through 12. Environmental educators—and a local artist—will help campers explore this year’s theme: aquatic life in the wetlands.

• If inside activities are more your (or your kids’) speed, the Chilliwack Cultural Centre is running loads of different spring break art camps for kids age 5 to 11. Learn to sew, paint, play the ukulele, or pick from plenty of other artsy options on offer.

• In Abbotsford, the Reach Gallery is running an art camp based on themes in the current exhibition, Des Parades. Kids will learn about themes like migration, business, and family with hands-on art activities from March 18 to 22.

• Local libraries also have a ton of events planned. Chilliwack’s library hosts a party to celebrate the release of the latest Dog Man book on March 21, and Abbotsford’s Clearbrook Library hosts a Teen Mario Kart tournament on March 26. And Science World is also visiting many local libraries over Spring Break. You can find a range of Spring Break library events here.

Markets and spring break camps aren’t the only events going on in the Fraser Valley this March. We also run a full events listing for Inisder members every Thursday morning that scrounges up as many cool sports games, concerts, shows, and other events as we can find. Become an Insider member here.