Our Maple Ridge office is sponsoring the Ridge Meadows Home Show this weekend, and providing shuttle service from the Albion Sports Complex parking to Albion Fairgrounds event space. Say hi to our team driving the golf carts!
HOME SHOW: ‘Wheely’ good fun on tap in Maple Ridge this weekend
Source: Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Feeling sporty this weekend?
Then head down to Albion Fairgrounds where you can take in high-flying BMXers and bubble ball soccer demos during the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
There’ll be high flying action in the corral, as some of the top-ranked riders in the world take bring big air jumps and half pipe demos to the home show.
This is a get-active “try it zone” with bicycles and safety gear provided and patrons encouraged to give the sport of BMX a try.
There will also be a scooter course for scooter enthusiasts.
Returning to the fairgrounds this weekend is the Action Sports Extreme Stunt Show.
Sponsored by Macdonald Realty (which also provides a shuttle service from the Albion Sports Complex to Albion Fairgrounds during the weekend), and presented by Maple Ridge Cycle, Ridge Meadows BMX, Big Steel Box, Timberline Ranch, and The Creative Ride, the stunt show is always popular.
The Stunt Show:
• Friday at 7 p.m.,
• Saturday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and
• Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
From its formative years in the early 1970s to today, BMX is still flourishing.
“If it wasn’t for these people doing [jumps and racing] I wouldn’t have gotten into this business,” said Troy Scott, the owner-manager of Maple Ridge Cycle, which is helping present the stunt show.
“Dirt jumping has always been exciting – that’s why my shop’s been around so long. A lot of the stuff we sell are involved with these types of [BMX] bicycles.”
Scott said BMX’s staying power remains strong, in a world where most kids are drawn to computers and iGadgets.
“It [BMX’ing] competes with iPads and iPods,” Scott said. “When parents get Christmas lists and bikes are in front of iPads – you don’t see that very often anymore.”
The passion for BMX locally is part of the reason why this showcase returns each year to the home show.
“We need something for the kids and grandkids to do while parents are looking at renos,” Scott said.
Since it’s an outdoor display, “Mother Nature plays a big part in it,” Scott said.
Former professional BMXer Nate Berkheimer plays a big role in the BMX show.
Berkheimer, who has more than two decades of BMX experience, made several dirt jumping finals at the Dew Tour.
The Maple Ridge resident competed professionally in both racing and freestyle (stunt riding).
“Nate has a lot of his guest riders come out and they put on a good show,” said Travis Franklin, who along with fellow realtor John Johnson helps organize the shuttles and stunt show on behalf of Macdonald Realty.
“They do stunts, back flips… everything on the ramps. It’s quite exciting to watch.”
Meanwhile, for little ones anxious to try bike riding, check out Tykes for Tots.
Bubble soccer
For soccer fans, West Coast Auto Group Football Club (WCAGFC) is bringing a unique twist on the “beautiful game” to the home show.
Bubble soccer demos will be happening throughout the weekend.
According to Bubble Soccer Vancouver, players are outfitted in “zorb-like inflatable bubble suits” which keep them safe “as they roll around, flip right over and collide with each other – all while trying to score goals.”
WCAGFC offers its own bubble soccer programs for U8 players right up to adults (visit westcoastfc.ca/Bubble_Soccer).
“People have a chance to give it a go,” WCAGFC executive director Misty Thomas said. “It’s exhausting, actually, to play it. It’s quite active and mostly people spend a lot of energy laughing. As we keep saying, it’s one of the few sports where spectators can actually have as much fun as the actual participants.
Watching bubble soccer is hilarious.”
