The Surrey Historical Society is holding an event in Cloverdale as part of Heritage Week.
Following the theme of "Pastimes in Past Times," the event will showcase how Surreyites participated in leisure activities before TV and other modern comforts.
"What did they do for entertainment?" asked Evelyn Wedley, president of the Surrey Historical Society (SHS). "What sort of things did they do for fun, or for relaxation?"
Heritage B.C. holds Heritage Week during the third week of February every year. This year it's Feb. 17-23 and the SHS will host its event Feb. 22 at Cloverdale United Church.
The theme for 2025 focuses on games, sports, hobbies, and activities that generations of people participated in in generations past.
Wedley is making up some posters for the event and is going through a lot of old books to garner materials.
"I've already got 22 posters with pictures of things people did back then," she explained. "From sports, cooking, sewing, kids games, indoor games, outdoor games, school games, you name it."
She's amazed at how many different examples of pastimes she has found while doing her research.
"Some of the things I came across were things like Fisher Price toys, like the old telephone that my kids played with,” she added. “They are now considered antiques.”
Wedley said there will be activities for both adults and children at the event. Areas will be set up for kids to play and experience some of the games kids of the past played. They’ll also have areas set up for adults to relive the games and pastimes of yore—things their parents and grandparents and great-grandparents may have played and entertained themselves with.
She said they’ll also have some artifacts and memorabilia on display.
Wedley added the event will also have a trivia contest with prizes, possibly a scavenger hunt for kids, and there will be refreshments too. She is also currently looking for sponsors to donate some prizes.
As it's a milestone year for Cloverdale United Church, she said they'll also have info on display about the history of the church. In 2025, the church will celebrate 100 years of being in Cloverdale. The current church building was built in 1950 and Cloverdale United will celebrate that 75th anniversary this year.
Wedley also said there will be info on display about the SHS, which is going into its 57th year, having been founded in 1968.
Pastimes in Past Times will run from 1 to 5 p.m.
Cloverdale United Church is located at 17575 58A Avenue. For more info, or to become a sponsor, email eewedley@yahoo.ca, or visit cloverdaleunitedchurch.ca.
