Close X
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 24 Apr, 2023 04:21 PM
  • Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

One of the most anticipated multicultural events of the Lower Mainland the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade was celebrated over the weekend after a 3 year pandemic hiatus. 

Canada’s largest Vaisakhi Parade outside of Punjab, India took place on Saturday, April 22, in Surrey, and was attended by 700,000 people. 

Vaisakhi is a significant festival in Sikhism and Punjab, commemorating the harvest season and the birth of the Khalsa, the community of baptized Sikhs. The festival has gained prominence in Canada, especially in British Columbia, home to the largest Sikh population outside of India.

Surrey residents were excited to be a part of the parade once again and dressed up in colourful traditional attire. 

The parade route started at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, one of the largest Sikh temples in North America, on 128th street and 85th Ave, and wound through the streets of Surrey, attracting participants and spectators from all over the Lower Mainland and beyond.

Road closures were in place from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on the day of the parade. 128th Street was closed and detours were in place between 72 Avenue to 88 Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Boulevard.

The colorful and vibrant community event started building around 8:30am and saw volunteers and local businesses enthusiastically handing out treats and food to attendees in order to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience. 

To ensure the event ran smoothly  Surrey Fire Service, Surrey RCMP, Surrey Police Service, Surrey Bylaws and BC Ambulance Service were also on scene.

High profile politicians such as Premier David Eby, Opposition leader of the BC United Party, Kevin Falcon, and MLA Jinny Sims were in attendance at the parade. 

The Darpan Magazine team was at the parade in full force and parade goers were eager to pick up a copy of the special Vaisakhi issue of the magazine. 

Darpan Magazine hopes to see more of you take part in the Vaisakhi celebration next year. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Emissions cap on oil and gas likely by end of 2023

Emissions cap on oil and gas likely by end of 2023
A cap on greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's oil and gas sector will be ready by the end of next year, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Monday. In an interview from Egypt where he is attending the 27th instalment of the United Nations climate talks, Guilbeault said the government is developing the regulations in "record time."

Emissions cap on oil and gas likely by end of 2023

Two deny murdering man after B.C. prison escape

Two deny murdering man after B.C. prison escape
Zachary Armitage and James Lee Busch are charged with killing 60-year-old Martin Payne in July 2019, a day after the pair walked away from William Head Institution, located about eight kilometres from the victim's home in Metchosin.  

Two deny murdering man after B.C. prison escape

Permanent Indian residents can now be part of Canadian military

Permanent Indian residents can now be part of Canadian military
As of 2021, there were more than eight million immigrants with permanent residence living in Canada - roughly 21.5 per cent of the total Canadian population. In the same year, nearly 100,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada as the country admitted a record 405,000 new immigrants in its history.

Permanent Indian residents can now be part of Canadian military

NDP calls for review of federal COVID-19 response

NDP calls for review of federal COVID-19 response
With the final federal public-health restrictions having been lifted in September, NDP health critic Don Davies said it's about time for the government to look back at whether appropriate actions were taken to manage the crisis. 

NDP calls for review of federal COVID-19 response

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom
The record rains brought by an atmospheric river last November swamped southwest B.C., inundated farmland, washed out major highways and railways and forced thousands to flee. Five people died in what the Insurance Bureau of Canada ranks as B.C.'s most costly weather event, with insured losses of $675 million.  

B.C. hails flood recovery but more disasters loom

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police
It presents two options, with the first stopping further spending on the SPS while a plan is submitted to the province for approval to end the integration and "ramp down" the municipal police agency.

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police