Close X
Monday, December 2, 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

B.C. to restrict cellphones in schools to protect kids from online harm

B.C. to restrict cellphones in schools to protect kids from online harm
British Columbia is moving to restrict the use of cellphones in schools as part of measures Premier David Eby says will help protect young people from online threats. Eby said the government will also launch a service to remove intimate images from the internet and "pursue predators," as well as introduce legislation to hold social media companies accountable for harms they have caused. 

B.C. to restrict cellphones in schools to protect kids from online harm

Cap on student visas should help take pressure off soaring rents, Macklem says

Cap on student visas should help take pressure off soaring rents, Macklem says
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said at a cabinet retreat in Montreal on Monday that the number of new visas handed out this year will be capped at 364,000, a 35 per cent decrease from the nearly 560,000 issued last year. The number for 2025 will be set after an assessment of the situation later this year.

Cap on student visas should help take pressure off soaring rents, Macklem says

Atmospheric river could bring rain to parts of southern B.C., risk of flooding

Atmospheric river could bring rain to parts of southern B.C., risk of flooding
Weather officials are warning residents in British Columbia's South Coast region of another atmospheric river system that could bring storms and elevate flood risks starting Saturday. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the region is expected to see periods of heavy rain combined with melting mountain snow until Wednesday.

Atmospheric river could bring rain to parts of southern B.C., risk of flooding

B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports fourth flu-related death of child under 10

B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports fourth flu-related death of child under 10
The centre says there have now been four flu-related deaths in children under 10 during the current respiratory illness season. It says flu-related deaths refer to those where influenza was a contributing factor but not necessarily the primary cause of death.

B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports fourth flu-related death of child under 10

B.C. odour incidents spark questions around corporate ethics and communication

B.C. odour incidents spark questions around corporate ethics and communication
Vancouver resident Robert Ford was heading to a yoga class Sunday morning when he smelled an odour he likened to "semi-burnt fuel." As a member of council at his Kitsilano apartment building, he said he decided to check the boiler room, but it smelled fine.  

B.C. odour incidents spark questions around corporate ethics and communication

U.K. suspends trade negotiations with Canada, each accuses the other of not budging

U.K. suspends trade negotiations with Canada, each accuses the other of not budging
The United Kingdom is hitting the brakes on trade talks with Canada after Ottawa decided not to extend temporary measures put in place after Brexit. London announced the pause in negotiations Thursday less than a month before the ninth round of talks towards a permanent trade deal was scheduled to take place.  

U.K. suspends trade negotiations with Canada, each accuses the other of not budging