If you鈥檙e heading to tbird for the first time to catch this Sunday鈥檚 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup or the rest of the Summer Fort Festival, you鈥檒l need to know how to get to 91原创鈥檚 premiere equestrian facility, and it might not be as easy as you think.
The Thunderbird Show Park (tbird) is located on the corner of 72nd Avenue and 248th Street.
For those coming from the west, the best route is to take the 232nd Street exit from the Trans-Canada Highway, and on the north side of freeway, take 72nd east. Come to a full stop at the railway crossing at the top of the hill 鈥� the rail line is in use and trains do come through that area several times a day.
Once you find 248th Street, turn south (right) and you鈥檒l find the entrance to tbird on your right.
Coming from Abbotsford and points east, you might want to get off the freeway at 264th Street and take 56th Avenue west to 248th Street.
From there, drive north until you spot the tbird entrance on your left 鈥� just before 72nd Avenue.
Once at the Thunderbird Show Park, there is plenty of parking on grass lots, for $10 per vehicle on weekends.
Tbird and farmgate businesses had been facing a possible shutdown of one of the main roads leading to that area this year.
91原创 Township is upgrading 72nd Avenue at a railway crossing west of the site. While some road work may be taking place in late August, a closure of the road is not scheduled until after Labour Day. The Township will be keeping 72nd Avenue open through the end of the month.
Unfortunately, TransLink does not provide bus service to the largely rural area.
Although the big event 鈥� the World Cup 鈥� starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, getting there early is a good idea, said Warren Kean, director of marketing and special events.
鈥淭here鈥檚 stuff to do all day,鈥� he said.
Other equestrian events run throughout the morning, starting as early as 8 a.m. with the youth jumpers. People are also welcome to bring a picnic, set up lawn chairs on some of the grassy areas, and make a day of it, Kean said.
There is also plenty of food on site, including restaurants and a couple of food trucks that are expected.
For those who want to stay longer, there is RV camping on site, but for a charge. Check the tbird.ca website for details.
Those using a wheelchair or other mobility aids should know that the paths and roads within the show park are dirt and gravel.
While they鈥檙e well maintained, they can be muddy and are used by horses and golf carts, as well.
Disabled visitors may want to use the entrance off 72nd Avenue, as that provides easier access to the grand prix ring for wheelchair users.
For extra assistance, call ahead before visiting to 604-888-4585.
There are wheelchair accessible washrooms on site.
