What’s up in September: pow-wows, cruise-ins, and parades

September is upon us, for better or worse.

Summer is over. Kids are back to school. Work may be returning to normal. And the weather, well… Here comes the good and the bad news.

In the Fraser Valley, September is the last month during which there’s a better-than-even chance that you’ll see the sun on any one day. By mid-October, it will be raining more days than not. The temperature will only occasionally exceed room temperature and it will be dark more than light.

But September! The weather is still good in September, so enjoy it. Revel in it. Do things.

We’ve once again put together a list of fun events and things to do around the valley this coming month.

Chow down in Abbotsford

Taste of Abby’s Fall Food Festival runs from Sept. 9 to 18 and features an array of events and promotions to celebrate local food and agriculture. The event kicks off with a night market at Jubilee Park. It also includes a downtown art and wine walk on Sept. 15, a food truck festival from Sept. 16 to 18 at Abbotsford Exhibition Park, and the Taste of Abby Foodie Awards.

The stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow

New pow wows have been popping up all over the Fraser Valley this year. Earlier, Abbotsford experienced its first Wac’ipi C’ante Was’te Yuhapi—the “With a Good Heart Pow Wow”—which we wrote about here. And in September, the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society will hold its first pow-wow in Langley. The event will run from Sept. 16 to 18 at the Langley Events Centre and include drumming, dancing, Indigenous art, and more. Tickets are available online.

Bale up in Agassiz

There’s something about a small-town fair that’s particularly fun and special. The Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival returns Sept. 17. It includes a parade, a midway, and a lot of corn. There is also a “decorated round hay bale contest.” The Agriculture Association provides the bales, while you provide the creativity. The deadline to register is today (Sept. 1) so move quick. Doing so costs just $5. You can see all the details here, including the cash prizes for the three best decorations.

Experience the Brigade in Hope

Speaking of small-town festivals, Hope Brigade Days runs from Sept. 9 to 11 and is based in the area around the Hope & Area Recreation Centre. The event features everything you want for a community festival in Hope: a parade, amusement park rides, an Aaron Pritchett concert, a big-rig show and shine, and a demolition derby. Anyone handy with a chainsaw can also take part in amateur logger sports.

Movies, but outside

Start September with a family film while you can still go outside without an umbrella. Encanto will be shown at Fraser River Heritage Park on Sept. 1. The movie is free and hosted by Prospera Credit Union. It will start at around 8:15pm. The next day, on Sept. 2, the Abbotsford Police Department will host a family movie night in Mill Lake Park. The night will feature the animated film The Bad Guys. Activities begin around 5pm, with the movie kicking off at dusk around 8pm. Movie buffs can get in more screen time at Fort Langley Movie Nights. Each Saturday at sunset will feature a new film on the green space at Glover Road and Mary Avenue. The Sept. 3 screening will feature Mamma Mia.

Check out the circus in Abbotsford

The American Crown Circus is stopping at Abbotsford’s Sevenoaks Shopping Centre from Sept. 8 to 12. Each day features multiple showings. Take in aerial artistry, motorcycle madness, and acrobats. Tickets online.

Run for office

If you want to change your community, you’ll have to have your ducks in a row by Sept. 9. That’s when the end of the nomination period ends for the fall municipal elections. All candidates must have their papers submitted to local election officials by the deadline. You’ll have to go check your town’s website (or call the municipal hall) for details on how to do that. But the bar is usually pretty low. If you’re not running for office, you can help others do so, or just do your duty and get informed. Through September, The Current will be rolling out election guides for each community and getting in touch with candidates to see where they stand on key issues.

Watch the parade in Abbotsford

The Agassiz Fair and Hope Brigade Days each have community parades, but if you want to witness a different cultural procession, the Sikh Nagar Kirtan Procession takes place Sept. 4 around Abbotsford’s western neighbourhoods. You can see a map here. This is the first time in two years the parade is taking to the streets. Listen to the hymns, witness gatka (Sikh martial arts), and enjoy the food!

Cruise-in to good times in Langley

The Langley Good Times Cruise-In is finally returning to the streets of Aldergrove on Sept. 10. The annual family-friendly event brings together thousands of classic car enthusiasts. The public can expect the usual road closures between 272 and 264 streets on Fraser Highway. The show will take place from 8am to 4pm. Enjoy live performances, In-N-Out Burger, and of course the cars!

Go to a gala in a Hawaiian shirt

After Brook Morrison died from suicide, his family created a non-profit—BeMorr Society—to raise money for mental health programs and to reduce the stigma surrounding the issue. (We featured a short interview with Brook’s mother and sister in our very first newsletter, which you can read here.) On Sept. 17, the BeMorr Society is holding its Hawaiian Shirt Gala at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre in Abbotsford. The event features a dinner, entertainment, guest speakers, and a silent auction.

This month’s trail

Brook Morrison, mentioned above, was an avid hiker. We recently asked his mother, Anne-Mari if he had a favourite local hike. Anne-Mari said Brook loved to hike Needle Point, a challenging mountain accessed off of the Coquihalla near the Zopkios brake check and rest area. A hike closer to home of particular family significance was the Elk Mountain hike in Chilliwack.

“The first hike he ever took me on was Elk Mountain,” she said. “Brook could run up and down that mountain easily, but of course for my very first hike ever it was a little slower.

“He told me it was an easy hike,” she said, laughing. “Well, not for me, not the first time. It was hard for me but I was so appreciative of him because he would stop and wait for me. It was pretty spectacular. It was the first time I ever did a hike on a mountain and it was such a good feeling to know that I actually did it and being up there. It was just amazing up there.”