Happy Tuesday, Surrey!
Summer's got a few weeks left in it, and this week's shaping up to be a good one to be outside.
Now grab your coffee, take a quick scroll, and let’s get into what’s happening around Surrey this week
In today’s edition:
1,400 Backpacks Given to Surrey Students
Surrey Looks to Open New Autism Support Centre
Surrey’s $20 Tree Sale Returns Aug. 18
Guildford Recreation Centre Pool Closing for Seven Weeks
Surrey Basketball Player Set to Make NCAA History
Many events Happening Around the City This Week
- Mark
News
1,400 Backpacks Given to Surrey Students
More than 2,000 people attended City Dream Centre’s annual back-to-school event in Surrey on August 15.
The charity gave away 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary students from inner-city schools. Families also received clothing, food and access to free activities like face painting and a bouncy castle.
The event is meant to help families with the growing cost of getting children ready for school. City Dream Centre says demand has continued to rise each year.
The non-profit also supports Surrey families throughout the school year with food, dental care and other programs.
🔑 Key Details:
• 1,400 backpacks were handed out
• More than 2,000 people attended
• This was the event’s ninth year
“Surrey Digest Dinner Club”
After 2 amazing events in the spring, we’re doing it again — this time in Fleetwood.
Six people. One table. A great meal and meaningful conversation.
How it works
Take a short personality quiz
Get matched with 5 compatible guests
We choose the restaurant and handle logistics
You just show up
📍 Fleetwood
🗓️ Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 PM
Can’t make this one? Sign up to get updates on future dinners.
Here’s to breaking bread and building something real!
City Updates
Surrey Looks to Open New Autism Support Centre
The City of Surrey is looking for a non-profit group to operate a new autism support centre at a city-owned property on King George Boulevard.
The centre would provide assessment and intervention services for children, youth and families, but it would not diagnose autism or other medical conditions.
The site at 7010 King George Blvd. includes about 4,385 square feet of indoor space, plus outdoor land that could be used for therapy, activities or other programs.
The city says demand for autism-related services is growing, and Surrey has a high need for more local support. The goal is to make services easier for families to access closer to home.
🔑 Key Details:
• The centre would be operated by a qualified non-profit organization
• The city is offering a proposed five-year lease
• Services would focus on autism support and intervention, not diagnosis
Surrey’s $20 Tree Sale Returns Aug. 18
Surrey’s popular $20 tree sale is returning online at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18.
Residents can buy up to two trees, with options including apple, cherry, plum, dogwood, maple and magnolia. Nearly 1,000 trees will be available while supplies last.
Trees must be picked up at the Surrey Operations Centre on September 18. The city says the program helps residents add more trees to private property and grow Surrey’s urban forest.
The sale is usually popular and can sell out quickly, so residents interested in buying a tree may want to shop early.
🔑 Key Details:
• Trees cost $20 each
• Surrey residents can buy a maximum of two trees
• Online sales open at 9 a.m. on August 18
Community Digest
Guildford Recreation Centre Pool Closing for Seven Weeks
The Guildford Recreation Centre pool will close for seven weeks this fall for scheduled maintenance.
The aquatic area will be closed from August 31 to October 19. The gymnasiums will also close from September 12 to 22, and the entire recreation centre will be closed from September 16 to 22.
During the closures, residents are being asked to use other Surrey recreation centres. People signed up for programs will be contacted if their activities are affected.
The closure may mean longer trips or busier pools for Guildford families who regularly use the centre for swimming, fitness and recreation.
🔑 Key Details:
• The pool will close from August 31 to October 19
• The full facility will close from September 16 to 22
• Residents can use other Surrey recreation centres during the shutdown
Surrey Basketball Player Set to Make NCAA History
Surrey’s Eesher Singh Sarai is heading to Winthrop University in South Carolina, where he will become the first Canadian turbaned Sikh to play NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
The six-foot-nine forward graduated from Fleetwood Park Secondary and has spent the past few years playing college basketball in the U.S. He signed with Winthrop in May after working toward his goal of reaching Division I.
Sarai says he hopes his journey can show other young Sikh athletes that they can compete at the highest levels of the sport. He will also study business finance while playing for the university.
His achievement is another example of a local athlete reaching a major stage and representing the city and his community along the way.
🔑 Key Details:
• Sarai is a former Fleetwood Park Dragons player
• He will be the first Canadian turbaned Sikh in NCAA Division I men’s basketball
• He will play for Winthrop University in South Carolina
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Exciting Events: Aug. 14th - Aug. 17th
Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.
Community Fun🎆
Cloverdale Station Summer Music Festival | June 27-Aug. 30 (FREE)
Location: Cloverdale Station - Hwy 10 and 176A Street
Description: Join us as we launch the 2026 Cloverdale Station Summer Music Festival! Featuring live performances every Saturday and Sunday from June 27th until August 30th on our Entertainment Patio at Cloverdale Station!
Surrey Greek Food Festival | Aug. 15-23 (FREE)
Location: 13181 96 Ave
Description: This beloved 9-day event, a Surrey tradition for over 30 years, brings the community together with live music, traditional Greek dances, a Greek market and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re visiting for a sizzling hot meal, a performance, or a cultural evening out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Outdoor Movie Night-Frozen | 6:30PM-11PM Aug. 19 (FREE)
Location: Unwin Park
Description: Get cozy under the stars with three outdoor movie nights in local parks throughout Newton on Wednesdays in August! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a free bag of popcorn (while quantities last).
Royal Academy of Punjab Dance Troupe and Workshop | 6:30PM-8PM Aug. 19 (FREE)
Location: T.E. Scott Park
Description: A free concert as part of the Sounds of Summer outdoor concert series featuring Royal Academy of Punjab Dance Troupe and Workshop.
Community Picnic | 5:30M-7:30PM Aug. 20 (FREE)
Location: Strawberry Hill Park
Description: Pack a picnic and join neighbours for community networking, activities and games. The first 200 people to attend each picnic can receive a free food item to enjoy with their picnic.
Nature Work Party | 10AM-12PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Bolivar Park
Description: Help care for Surrey parks by removing invasive plants, cleaning up litter, and enhancing habitat within the park.
Garden Work Party | 10AM-12PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Darts Hill Garden Park
Description: Help care for Surrey's gardens by pruning, weeding, labeling, removing invasive plants and more!
Medicine Bag Workshop | 1PM-3PM Aug. 15 ($)
Location: Museum of Surrey
Description: Sew a traditional leather Métis Medicine pouch to carry medicinal herbs or other treasured items. Learn the uses of traditional medicines and the importance of maintaining a connection to Mother Earth. Led by 2 Métis Women.
Markets/Fairs🎡🎢🎠
Surrey Urban Farmers' Market | 10AM-3PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Royal Kwantlen Park | 104 Ave & Old Yale Road
Description: Experience a Farmers' Market with a unique and fun vibe! Fresh produce and fruit, makers, bakers, and artisans, all set to the music of local entertainers. Easy parking and accessible to all ages. BC Farmers Market Nutrition coupons and cards accepted.
The Clayton Market | 10AM-2PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: 7155 187A Street
Description: The Clayton Community Market is a lively, free family friendly gathering featuring local farmers, food vendors, and small businesses from Clayton and beyond.
Exclusively Creative Farmers Markets | 11AM-4PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Peace Portal Church 15128 27B
Description: Highly curated unique local vendors. From food to art and everything in between. See us at the Corner of King George and 152 in the Peace Portal Church Parking Lot.
Cloverdale Sunshine Market | 10AM-4PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Shannon Hall
Description: A day of unique handmade treasures, artisan goods, delicious treats, home décor, and gifts under one roof at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Shoppers can browse handmade crafts and artisan goods, unique gifts not found in stores, home décor and accessories, and creative products from local small businesses and makers, all in a relaxed, joyful market atmosphere.
Performances🎭
Perfectly Petty | 1PM-2:30PM Aug. 15 (FREE)
Location: Robson Park
Description: A free concert as part of the Sounds of Summer outdoor concert series featuring Perfectly Petty
Comedy❗
The Rising Comics Championship | 8PM Aug. 20 ($)
Location: Yuk Yuks Comedy Club
Description: Be there from the very beginning as over 60 of British Columbia and Washington State's funniest up-and-coming comedians battle for a shot at the title. The Rising Comics Championship puts the power in your hands; the audience alone decides which three comics from each preliminary round advance to the semi-finals.
Bad Moms Surrey | 8PM Aug. 21 & 22 ($)
Location: Yuk Yuks Comedy Club
Description: Motherhood isn’t always picture-perfect… it’s messy, chaotic and packed with questionable choices. As mothers unappreciately hustle during the the height of the back-to-school shopping season, it's time to take a break for some big laughs and brutally honest stories from moms who know that sometimes the best moms are the “bad” ones.
Live Music, Dancing & Pub Events
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Thursday, Aug. 20
Friday, Aug. 21
How did you enjoys today's edition?
Thanks for reading The Surrey Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!
* Surrey Digest is proudly supported by The Salmon Sessions Music Festival
