Holiday Season Special
Boost Your Business This Holiday Season with Around Chilliwack!
This is your chance to get your business seen by thousands of local shoppers this holiday season.
For a limited time, Around Chilliwack is offering an exclusive Holiday Feature Package — designed to help local businesses stand out where it matters most: online and in front of a local audience that loves to shop close to home.
What’s Included:
A 20-minute professional photoshoot at your business
A dedicated feature on our Where to Shop page at AroundChilliwack.ca
A social media highlight post shared with our engaged local followers
This is more than just a quick photoshoot — it’s your opportunity to boost your visibility, attract new customers, and be part of our trusted local shopping guide during the busiest retail season of the year.
Limited spots available. Don’t miss your chance to get your business featured — book your session today!
👉 Message us or visit www.aroundchilliwack.ca/store/p/holiday-special to reserve your spot.
The Electric Train That Once Connected Chilliwack to Vancouver
Do you know the rail line that travels through town and over the Vedder River, before heading West through Abbotsford? Believe it or not, those rails once carried an electric passenger train all the way from Vancouver to Chilliwack.
This piece of Fraser Valley history helped shape how our communities grew, long before the highway made commuting a thing.
From City to Countryside, All by Rail
The Interurban line opened in 1910, linking small farming communities like Langley, Matsqui, Abbotsford, Yarrow, and Chilliwack to Vancouver. It was fast for its time, quiet, and efficient. The trains carried locals, produce, and mail right through the heart of the Fraser Valley.
At its peak, the Interurban made several trips a day, leaving Vancouver’s False Creek Station and traveling east through farmland and across rivers before rolling into downtown Chilliwack, near what’s now District 1881. For many residents, it was their main connection to the city; An early version of public transit in the valley.
The Route Through Chilliwack and Abbotsford
You can still trace the Interurban’s path today. In Yarrow, the tracks run just South of Yarrow Central Road, cross Vedder Mountain Road, and follow just north of the Vedder River. They continue through Greendale, crossing Keith Wilson, Lickman, South Sumas, Evans, and Vedder Roads, before heading into Downtown Chilliwack and reaching the old Chilliwack station site around Nowell Street and Yale Road.
In Abbotsford, the corridor passed through Matsqui Prairie, crossed near Gladwin Road, and continued southeast across farmland toward Huntingdon at the U.S. border before curving east toward Yarrow.
Passenger service ended in 1950, but the tracks are still used today by CN Rail to carry freight.
Could It Come Back?
That’s exactly what the South Fraser Community Rail group hopes to do. They’re campaigning to bring back passenger service along the old Interurban corridor, reconnecting Chilliwack to Surrey and beyond.
The plan would use the same right-of-way to create a clean, affordable, and practical commuter rail; Something the fast-growing Fraser Valley could really use.
Public support has been strong, with many residents saying it’s time to bring the train back.
Next time you’re driving through Yarrow or Greendale, take a closer look at the fields. That quiet stretch of track once carried an electric train full of passengers heading home, visiting family, or delivering goods across the valley.
‘P’ in Paramount Alley
The ‘P’ in Paramount Alley isn’t just art—it’s a tribute. From 1949 to 2010, the Paramount Theatre was where Chilliwack gathered for movies, dates, and memories.
Do you remember it?
Community Futures South Fraser Launches Third Startup Challenge
Community Futures South Fraser Launches Third Startup Challenge
Community Futures South Fraser is excited to announce the launch of the Startup Challenge 2025, an in-depth 8-week program designed to help local entrepreneurs transform their ideas into thriving businesses.
Now in its third edition, the Startup Challenge has already proven to be a “catalyst” for past participants, with one alumni sharing that they were deeply grateful for the support and opportunities it provided.
Open to entrepreneurs based in Chilliwack and Abbotsford area, the Startup Challenge offers hands-on workshops, personalized mentorship, and the chance to build a complete business plan. Over the course of the program, participants will dive into core topics such as market research, sales channels, forecasting, marketing, and competitive analysis. Each entrepreneur will also be matched with a local mentor through the MentorLab program, gaining valuable one-on-one guidance and support.
The program culminates in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch competition, where participants will showcase their businesses to a panel of local judges and compete for First, Second, and Third Place Prizes, as well as the People’s Choice Award. The live event will be livestreamed and open to the public, offering community members the opportunity to cheer on local innovators.
“Collaboration is at the heart of this program,” said Nicole Read, General Manager of Community Futures South Fraser. “The Startup Challenge brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, and community partners to create an environment where local business ideas can truly grow and thrive.”
Key Details:
• Program Dates: September – November 2025
• Applications Open; Close September 5, 2025
• Program Fee: $250 (includes workshops, mentorship, and pitch participation)
Since its launch, the Startup Challenge has atracted diverse and talented participants, with winners going on to expand their businesses, launch creative ventures, and strengthen the Fraser Valley’s entrepreneurial community.
Interested entrepreneurs can learn more and apply at: southfraser.com/startup-challenge
Watch previous Startup Challenge livestreams on our YouTube: youtube.com/@cfsouthfraser
Classes at the Cultural Centre
Discover your creativity this fall at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre!
This fall, the Chilliwack Cultural Centre is your gateway to exploring creativity and learning something new, with an exciting variety of classes for all skill levels and ages. Whether you’re looking to move to the rhythm of swing dancing, shape clay into beautiful pottery, bind your own notebooks, or explore vibrant printmaking and glass-making techniques, The Centre’s lineup has something for everyone.
Begin your creative adventure with the numerous classes being offered! From Wheel 1: Introduction to the Wheel to Handbuilding 1: Introduction where students can learn how to shape clay into stunning pieces of pottery, to Beginning Photography and Photography Perspectives, you can learn where to start in the daunting journey of photography. Floral Wreaths will teach you how to make a stunning wreath using wire, artificial flowers and other decorative elements, while Polymer Clay Workshop uses the versatility of polymer clay to show you how to create a whimsical ornament.
Introduction to Book Binding will show you how to create a Japanese Stab Binding book through the use of a pamphlet stitch. Portraits Like the Old Masters and Drawing Faces are the perfect opportunity to continue refining your skills, where Introduction to Water Mixable Oils and Drawing the Human Body will take you through the foundations of painting and drawing skills. Family Paint Night makes for the perfect evening to spend with a partner or friend while doing art, and Dungeons & Dragons: One-Shots bring you on a spectacular adventure.
With all these classes and more, this fall is the perfect opportunity to try something completely new, develop an existing hobby, or enjoy a creative outlet with friends and family. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist, The Centre’s welcoming environment ensures a supportive space to learn, explore, and have fun.
Space in classes is limited, so do not miss your opportunity to fall back in love with art! Registration for all classes is now available! For more information or to register for a class, with Membership Program discounts available, visit www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, call 604-391-SHOW(7469), or stop by The Centre Box Office (9201 Corbould Street, Chilliwack).