Close X
    Saturday, January 11, 2025
    ADVT 
    National

    Surrey Vaisakhi parade draws 550,000

    Ish Sharma Darpan, 24 Apr, 2024 10:24 AM
    • Surrey Vaisakhi parade draws 550,000

    One of the most anticipated multicultural events of the Lower Mainland the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade was celebrated over the weekend. 

    Canada’s largest Vaisakhi Parade outside of Punjab, India took place on Saturday, April 20th, in Surrey, and was attended by 550,000 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. The Sikh Motorcycle club was also present to savour the joyous atmosphere. 

    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 the Opposition leader of the BC United Party, Kevin Falcon, MLA Jinny Sims, and Minister of Labour Harry Bains were in attendance at the parade along with Minister of Trade, Jagrup Brar. 

    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. 

     

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Israel increases strikes on Gaza ahead of expected ground invasion

    Israel increases strikes on Gaza ahead of expected ground invasion
    Israel has escalated its bombardment of targets in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion against Hamas militants.  The stepped-up attacks, and the rapidly rising death toll in Gaza, came as Hamas released two elderly Israeli women who were among the hundreds of hostages it captured during its devastating attacks on towns in southern Israel earlier this month.

    Israel increases strikes on Gaza ahead of expected ground invasion

    Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk

    Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk
    Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution's independence. The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada's Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.

    Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk

    Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

    Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'
    Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated." Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire.

    Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

    Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

    Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices
    A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada's major grocery chains to appear before MPs and explain their plans to stabilize food prices. The agriculture committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, or summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.

    Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

    Over 1600 weekend incidents: VPD

    Over 1600 weekend incidents: VPD
    Vancouver police say officers responded to more than one-thousand-600 incidents over the weekend, fuelled in part by multiple demonstrations across the city. Sergeant Steve Addison says recent geopolitical events have driven the protests, and police will continue to deploy extra officers to manage the situations as they arise.  

    Over 1600 weekend incidents: VPD

    Pedestrian death in Kelowna

    Pedestrian death in Kelowna
    Mounties are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in Kelowna's Rutland neighbourhood over the weekend. Police say they believe the death on Saturday afternoon is related to an earlier event where officers responded to a complaint of a group of teens using bear spray on people. 

    Pedestrian death in Kelowna

    PrevNext