Surrey was treated to a unique "walk-about floral parade" at the Clover Square Village in Cloverdale, on Saturday, August 23rd. The 6th Annual Surrey Hydrangea Festival is also celebrating life with all age groups, by having a day full of fun, music, dancing, arts, crafts, food, mini gardens, floral displays, games, children's story telling in a giant tent, floral lei making, meeting VIP's, having fun with clowns, and greeting the Little Miss Hydrangea Queen, and her Royal Party. This eventful day starts at 10 a.m., with the parade taking place at Clover Square Village Mall, on Highway #10 and 177th Street. Everyone is invited to join in with this special parade, for a full hour of entertainment before the festival gets into full swing, for the rest of the day.

Canada's only floral parade is growing from grass roots beginnings, into one of the most unique and special parades in the country. There seems to be an abundance of Hydrangea flowers growing in almost every 2nd yard in Greater Vancouver. Volunteers from Richmond to Chilliwack join in to help bring in all the flowers, hedge cuttings, and greenery donated by private gardeners. With thousands of flowers to choose from, all the parade entrants are invited to take 1 or 2 days to decorate their vehicles, bikes, carts, buggies, and their costumes with all these beautiful, free flowers.

Judges will give out special prizes to the winners of each category of the parade. The audience can stroll around this parade route, or stop for awhile to dance, sing along, or photograph the amazingly detailed floral parade entries and entertaining bands. It's a street party, with an international flavor; 100 flags of the world will be on display, with many people in costumes.

During this amazing happening, people are invited to enjoy food at all the local restaurants, listen to performances by the Youth Pops Orchestra, Chilliwack Jazz Band, Avocado Shag, the Country Diamond Dancers, and many other local entertainers from 11:00-3:00 p.m.. All age groups can take part with interactive displays; study the parade entries close up; learn to grow Hydrangeas; watch the Little Miss Hydrangea Contestants make floral leis and garlands, and so much more. Everyone is welcome, rain or shine. This is an event for all of Greater Vancouver and beyond.

The Surrey Hydrangea Festival's mission is to celebrate life by promoting floral festivals, to serve the community, and to contribute to the enhancement of tourism, education, health, and environmental concerns as a non-profit society.

It's main functions are:

1. To promote the growing of the Hydrangea plant for recreational and commercial purposes;
2. To promote the advancement of knowledge and research of the Hydrangea plant;
3. To organize festivals, parades, exhibitions, seminars, and conferences on Hydrangeas, along with the environmental concerns for all plants and materials of nature.

For more information, volunteer opportunities, or donation of flowers for pre-parade float decorating on August 21-22nd go to the website: www.fraservalleybc.com/hydrangeafestival/.

Here is an invitation to come and join us at our 5th Annual Hydrangea Blossom Festival on Aug. 23th, 2003. Parade starts at 10:00 a.m.

We are decorating floral parade floats with natural materials and flowers. Decorating by volunteers goes on from 10 a.m. to midnight on Thursday, and then again on Friday. This is in preparation for the Masterpiece of a Floral Parade, taking place on Sat., Aug. 23rd 2002 at 10: 00 a.m.

We would love to have you join us at the festival, and at our “Happening” at the pre-parade decorating site.

If you are interested in donating any hydrangea flowers, we'd be thrilled to receive them at our decorating site on Thursday. Aug. 21st.

Volunteers can also come to your home to pick up the flowers you cut, if you cannot get out to deliver your own flowers.

All types of flowers will be gratefully received, along with any hedge cuttings, greenery, and other plants.

If you wish to help us out by participating through donating flowers and/or plant materials, or volunteering, please email HydrangeaFestival@FraserValleyBC.com, or call 604-538-0598, or use this form to contact us.