Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
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. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts
Members of Parliament have invited several top executives from BCE Inc. and Bell Canada to testify later this month about the company's decision to cut about nine per cent of its workforce this year.  The House of Commons heritage committee has agreed to invite BCE Inc. CEO Mirko Bibic to address the cuts, which include impacts on newsrooms across the country. 

Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to testify over recent job cuts

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units
The New Democrat government's almost $3 billion BC Builds program will target property owned by governments, communities and non-profits, and provide low-cost financing to fast-track affordable rental developments on underutilized lands across B.C., he said.  

B.C. eyes community, non-profit, underused lands to build affordable rental units

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs
Police in British Columbia say an investigation spanning several communities has led to the largest one-time seizure of contraband cigarettes in the province, with a retail value of $11 million, along with guns, ammunition and illegal drugs. A statement from the Combined Special Enforcement Unit says it received information last August prompting the investigation that expanded throughout B.C.'s Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island.  

B.C. police seize $11M worth of contraband cigarettes along with guns, drugs

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby
A 44-million-dollar project aims to improve operations at the Burnaby transit centre.  A statement from Infrastructure Canada says the joint funding from the federal government and TransLink will support up to 130 additional buses in the fast-growing Metro Vancouver community.

44M to be pumped into transit for Burnaby

Langley mayor wants Province to invest in school expansion in Langley to combat overcrowding

Langley mayor wants Province to invest in school expansion in Langley to combat overcrowding
Langley City council is asking the B-C government to invest in expanding schools to address overcrowding as the community grows. A statement from Mayor Nathan Pachal says enrolment has already surpassed capacity, and the expected arrival of the SkyTrain in 2028 along with new provincial housing requirements will bring significantly more students over the next decade.

Langley mayor wants Province to invest in school expansion in Langley to combat overcrowding

2 Surrey crashes land pedestrians in hospital

2 Surrey crashes land pedestrians in hospital
Police in Surrey say they're investigating two crashes that sent pedestrians to hospital with serious injuries just 90 minutes apart last night. In the first incident, R-C-M-P say a man in his 40s was taken to hospital in critical condition after being hit by a semi-truck whose driver was co-operating with police.

2 Surrey crashes land pedestrians in hospital