Let’s face it, Cloverdale is simply the place to be on Canada Day.

Surrey’s Canada Day bash is Western Canada’s biggest July 1st celebration – a fact will come as no surprise to the more than 100,000 people who turned out to last year’s event, when ‘80s legends Loverboy and The Payolas headlined the main concert stage.

This year, the city of Surrey-hosted event presents two more high-powered performers to headline the day-long celebration, Vancouver alt-rockers 54:40 and rock/punk singer-songwriter Bif Naked.

Add in a full-day’s roster of entertainment, fun, amusement rides and food, plus the fact that it’s free, and there’s every reason to expect just as big a crowd will be on hand at the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre Wednesday for Surrey Canada Day 2009.

And that’s just fine with the party’s hosts.

“It’s very popular,” Dan Nielsen, acting manager of filming and special events for the city of Surrey said. Not that the city is trying to break any attendance records.

“I think we’re probably reaching about what the park can manage. It’s a busy space.”

Busy, yes. But chaotic, no.

RCMP and Surrey’s engineering department are working together on the traffic plan. People who live in the area are encouraged to walk, and others are asked to take public transit, if possible.

He said Translink will be putting out special busses linking Skytrain and the Cloverdale Amphitheatre.

Otherwise, be warned that while there will be lots of parking available the Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino, there will be traffic congestion, particularly once the evening fireworks are over.

Anyone planning to attend should consult the Surrey Canada Day 2009 website at www.canadaday.surrey.ca for information about road closures and transit options.

Most of the folks who turn out to the event are primarily Surrey residents, Nielsen said.

“Obviously, a lot of people visit because we do get big name musical acts and there are the fireworks as well, and that is not something that happens in every community.”

The 2009 headliners 54:40 and Bif Naked are two of B.C.’s pre-eminent performers.

The veteran band 54:40 has been turning out hits over two decades (“Nice to Luv You”, “Casual Viewin’”, “Ocean Pearl”), and Juno award-winning musician Bif Naked is an outspoken and edgy performer who recorded her latest album, The Promise, while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.

The headline concerts get underway after 7 p.m., but music fans will want to get to the Amphitheatre much earlier – there’s a huge roster of B.C. and Canadian talent both at the main stage and at the Surrey 2010 Celebration Zone, a second stage that’s new this year.

The 2010 Zone will feature everything from local Bhangra, breakdancing and First Nations dance groups to independent artists such as Dan Mangan and Abbotsford power punks You Say Party! We Say Die!

Other main stage performers include Sweatshop Union, an up and coming hip-hop act, Carly Rae Jepsen, a singer/songwriter from Mission, Jeremy Fisher, Kuba Oms, and Tainted Lovers.

Even off-stage, Surrey Canada Day is something the entire family will enjoy, with activities taking place throughout the day.

“It’s a great family, community event,” Nielsen said. “People can come by pretty much any time of the day and find something that’s really interesting, and that they’ll like.”

Gates open at 10 a.m., and performances begin at 11 a.m. with children’s entertainment on the main stage. Performances at the 2010 stage begin at noon.

The 2010 Zone will also feature a sneak peek of what you can expect at the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site that will run during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Mayor Dianne Watts and members of city council, who present the opening ceremonies at 1:30 p.m., will also host a Strawberry Tea for seniors.

The headline concerts begin at around 7 p.m., followed by the Canada Day fireworks display at 10:15 p.m.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 11 p.m, with plenty going on all day. The park will be filled with vendors offering food and refreshments, kid’s crafts, amusement rides and displays.

The Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre is located at 176 Street and 64 Avenue.