Abbotsford: City in the Country

	Greenhouses in the Matsqui Prairie area of Abbotsford, British Columbia Photo courtesy of Karen Massier

Abbotsford is a city found in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. A 10-minute drive from the Washington, U.S.A. border, Abbotsford has an altitude of 54 m (177 ft) and an incredible view of Mount Baker. It is surrounded by the beauty and serenity of mountain country and sits on the south bank of the Fraser River. Its proximity to Greater Vancouver, which is 68 km (42 mi) away, makes it an excellent holiday destination and probably accounts for its steady population growth as many Abbotsford residents commute to Vancouver for work. Fondly called Abby, this “city in the country” is central to just about everything in lower mainland British Columbia, making it a great place to set up an accommodation home base for exploring the area. While Abbotsford seems to be a city in the middle of the country, because Mill Lake sits in the middle of Abbotsford, it also feels like the country is central to this city.

HISTORY, CULTURE AND ECONOMY

As the one of the most ethnically diverse centres in Canada, Abbotsford is a city of many cultures. Residents for over 10,000 years, the Sto:lo people (part of the Coast Salish) were the first to explore and settle the region. An estimated 30,000 people were living in Sto:lo territory, which included most of the lower Fraser River area, when European explorers arrived searching for land and wealth.

Before the discovery of gold in the sand bars of the Fraser River, fur trading had been Abbotsford's major industry. In 1858 as thousands of fortune seekers began to flock the area, Britain established the colony of British Columbia to protect their sovereignty and the gold. Gold became the major industry in the area, suddenly putting the fur trade second. The impact on the first people of the land was significant.

In 1891, the Canadian Pacific Railway built a line that crossed the only road in the Fraser Valley, the Old Yale Wagon Road, which later became part of the Village of Abbotsford. The railway provided transportation for goods and settlers, boosting the economy. This growth increased the demand for building materials and many independent mills started to spring up.

Eventually the Abbotsford Lumber Company, owned by the Trethewey family, bought these independent mills. Their home, built in 1920 on Mill Lake, is now a heritage site called Trethewey House. Its main floor has been restored and hosts the Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford (MSA) Museum. Exhibits tell the story of the first and subsequent peoples to pioneer the land.

Making up about 15 to 20 per cent of the population today, Indo-Canadians were some of Abbotsford's early pioneers, first arriving around 1902 from Northern India. Most of the Indo-Canadian pioneers were young Sikh men who had to leave their families behind in India so they could earn money abroad to support them. The Abbotsford Lumber Company hired these men, who made a significant contribution to the economic, social, cultural and political well being of the community.

Once the area was established, Abbotsford became a Fraser Valley farming centre, and logging was replaced as the major source of economic growth in the area.

The Village of Abbotsford became the City of Abbotsford in 1995 when the districts of Abbotsford and Matsqui merged. In the historic downtown area, travellers are welcomed by artful benches that are part of the award-winning Bench Art Project. New benches seem to pop up every year since a local artist built the first one originating this warm and welcoming city-in-the-country trend.

Abbotsford’s economy is diversified, strong and growing. It remains a vibrant and varied agricultural area and a leader in the pork, poultry, dairy and berry industry. The bounty of this rich agricultural area also includes tulips, daffodils, kiwis, vegetables, dairy products, ostriches and llamas. The manufacturing industry flourishes and the international airport and the aerospace industry are growing and supporting the economy. Business and government services are also well represented in Abbotsford and it is the main retail and trading centre for the upper Fraser Valley. Agriculture and tourism work well together with many farmer’s markets and agricultural events.

CLIMATE

Abbotsford enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, even in the winter when much of Canada is well below freezing. During the winter the city gets some snow, but it doesn’t stay on the ground long. While travellers should bring a winter jacket in the winter season (December and January are the coldest months), warm clothing rated for extreme temperatures is not normally necessary.

July brings the most hours of sunshine for the year, and July and August are the warmest months, so leave the winter clothing behind, but be sure to bring a bathing suit for hot weather. This is the best time of year for water sports, and accessing most hiking trails and lakes. Sunscreen will be needed more often in the warmer months when the UV index is higher, but for activities at higher altitudes, sunscreen is always a good idea for exposed skin.

A Daffodil Farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia Photo courtesy of Karen Massier

TRANSPORTATION AND ORIENTATION

The generally moderate weather conditions in Abbotsford means travel on roads is good most of the time and transportation is easily accessible. The city is located on Trans Canada Highway #1 west of Kelowna and east of Langley and Greater Vancouver, and there are seven exits from the highway into the city. The 24-hour border crossing to Sumas, U.S.A. can be accessed by travelling 7 km (5 mi) south of Abbotsford on Sumas Way. There are many modes of transportation available from taxis to international air flight, and the many taxis and car rental businesses keep the wait times short.

Abbotsford's international airport provides excellent access to the city and area. Located a few minutes from downtown, the airport straddles the Canada-U.S.A. border and is located on the Trans Canada Highway, about half-way between the Vancouver waterfront and Hope, an entryway to the Rocky Mountains. Many travellers choose this airport as an alternative to Vancouver’s significantly busier one. Travel services and rental vehicles are available at the airport, and shuttles and direct telephone lines to several accommodations help make the transition from the airport go smoothly.

There is a Greyhound bus service to most Canadian and American destinations and the Central Fraser Valley Transit System provides transit through Township Transit Services in Abbotsford. This combination keeps bus riders well connected and able to get around.

Alternative longer-distance travel options could include Via Rail. The train terminal is located about 54 km (30 mi) from Abbotsford in Agassiz and provides tours and transportation all over Canada. Ferries to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are located in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver and Tsawwassen, Delta. These ferry terminals are located 87 km (54 mi) and 68 km (42 mi) from Abbotsford respectively.

Abbotsford's historic downtown has plenty of parking and is full of activities, attractions, events and shopping. Leaving the city isn’t necessary because a number of accommodations and restaurants and bars are situated downtown as well. Visitors will also enjoy attractions located outside the downtown area, some for which a bus or taxi could suffice. Alternatively, a combination of transportation modes would work well in Abbotsford as the visitor could spend several days without leaving the historic downtown, then rent a car for a few days to travel a bit farther into what seems like a never-ending vacation heaven.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Cultural and Natural

	Pumpkins at Neufeld Farms in Abbotsford, British Columbia Photo courtesy of Karen Massier

Today the Sto:lo have annual powwows that include bands from both sides of the Canada-U.S.A. border. These cultural events, historically set in Mission (15 km [10 mi] from Abbotsford), offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about the area’s Aboriginal people.

	Fishing at Mill Lake in Abbotsford's City Centre Photo courtesy of Karen Massier

Around Mill Lake – Centennial Park there are many opportunities for relaxation and play. The small lake, sitting in the middle of Abbotsford, has a 2-km (1-mi) path around it, which makes it popular with runners and walkers. Fishers and bird watchers also enjoy this popular recreation area. The floating boardwalk is a great place to catch a view of Mount Baker for shutterbugs and the spray park is fun for children.

Historical
In the early 1900s, the Abbotsford Lumber Company donated lumber for young pioneer Sikh men to build a gurdwara (a Sikh temple). The men carried the lumber over one kilometre (three-quarters of a mile) on their backs from Mill Lake, where the lumber company sits, to what is now South Fraser Way, where the temple still stands. Since 2002 it has been recognized as a Canadian National Historic Site. The Abbotsford Sikh Temple was the centre of the Indo-Canadian community in Abbotsford and is the oldest standing gurdwara in Canada.

Another prominent historical site was a result of the discovery of fire clay by John Charles Maclure. He discovered fire clay on Sumas Mountain and incorporated the Vancouver Fireclay Company in 1905. Early architect Samuel Maclure, John’s brother, used fire clay bricks to build the red brick homes that became part of a company village at Sumas. The homes and the store, church and school are still standing and are part of a designated historic site, Clayburn Village, in Abbotsford.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Agricultural
Running for over 90 years, the Abbotsford Agrifair celebrates agriculture and is the city’s second largest annual tourist attraction. Close to 60,000 visitors take in this five-day event which includes draft horses, milking contests, a midway, fireworks, performances by well-known country music artists and more. Farm machinery, both antique and new are also on display. A major part of the fair is the Mighty Fraser Bud Pro Rodeo, a professional rodeo that attracts great riders from all over North America. The rodeo runs on Friday and Saturday. The Abbotsford Agrifair has been voted B.C.’s Best Little Country Fair.

Held in historic downtown Abbotsford, the Abbotsford Berry Festival is a street festival in the style of days gone by. Live entertainment, clowns, dancers and carnival rides are all part of the fun. Of course there are many types of berries available, as well as a strawberry pancake breakfast, strawberry shortcake, strawberry-rhubarb pies and other delicious foods.

The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market is held every Saturday morning, May to October, in the historic downtown area. It showcases new plant varieties, baking, flowers and artwork. Local entrepreneurs produce everything and visitors can meet these artists and farmers and take farming tours. This weekly event is rounded out with entertainment and demonstrations, and it’s family friendly.

	Abbotsford International Airshow, Abbotsford, British Columbia Photo courtesy of Karen Massier

The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and the United States Air Force Thunderbirds participate by performing seemingly impossible flight formations. They are the central attraction of the airshow and people come from around the world to see these top flyers.