The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade returns this Saturday, April 20, 2024 to host spectators and participants for a colourful and entertaining procession through the streets.
Photo courtesy of the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
Event organizers Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar expect the Surrey Khalsa Day (Vaisahki) Parade will draw half a million guests from around the world to gather along the route. Hosted by the community for the past 20 years, the parade will feature a variety of floats, community groups, live music and dancers.
The procession with have over 2,500 participants representing 20 community organizations. Celebrants can visit hundreds of booths along the route, sponsored by local businesses and families who will give away free food and treats.
The parade will begin at 9:30am on April 20th, setting out from the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple (12885 85th Ave, Surrey). It will then travel along 124th Street, turn left onto 75th Avenue, continue on 76th Avenue, followed onto 128th Street, and back to the Temple to conclude the parade at 4:00pm.
Traffic controls will be in place beginning at 7:30am until 5:00pm, or until the RCMP deem the route is safe to be opened to vehicular traffic. Access to 128th Street and road sections along the parade route will be impacted most significantly. Increased delays may be expected for travel through and within the area between 72nd Avenue to 88th Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Highway.
There will be extra Expo Line and Millennium Line service from 8:30am to 3:00pm on April 20th, and a shuttle in place from David Brankin Elementary and the Invergarry Adult Education Centre. Find more road closure and access information here.
More about Vaisahki: “For many thousands of years, Vaisakhi has been the time when farmers have put their sickles to harvest and celebrated the coming of a new year. Since 1699, the Sikhs have had a further reason to celebrate at this time of the year. Now Vaisakhi is celebrated with even more energy, pomp and fanfare. It has become a holy day to mark the birth of the Khalsa fraternity. And so 300+ years on, this tradition continues with much gaiety, vigour and enthusiasm.”
The tulip festivals are open in the valley, baseball is back at Nat Bailey Stadium, and spring festivals and markets have popped up around the city. Find these events and many more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
The Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame is the largest known permanent gallery in the world dedicated to Indigenous sport and it will now be online for all to see! This digital experience will feature a virtual tour, exclusive content not on display in the physical gallery, video profiles of athletes, and more.
Online Indigenous Sport Gallery at BC Hall of Fame
The online gallery includes a 360-degree virtual tour with additional content not found in the physical gallery, such as video profiles of 14 featured athletes and honoured members. Additionally, 3D interactive artifacts that highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous athletes, coaches and builders who have had a profound impact on sport history and culture, bringing their stories in life online.
The Digital Indigenous Sport Gallery walk-through can be experienced through virtual reality, with VR headset compatibility. The site also features educational components like an interactive timeline and map, as well as illustrations from Tsleil-Waututh artist Olivia George.
The gallery addresses Truth and Reconciliation call to action #87: “We call upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.”
About the Gallery
The gallery celebrates the rich history and many contributions to sport by First Nations and Métis athletes, teams, coaches, builders and volunteers in BC, and attempts to remedy the fact that Indigenous athletes and teams have not been properly celebrated and honoured over the course of our province’s history. Located inside the BC Sports Hall of Fame at BC Place, it features over 1,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space, and highlights the impact of athletes like Gino Odjick, Carey Price, Richard Peter, Justina Di Stasio, and others.
Visitors can read information about traditional Indigenous games; view artefacts and memorabilia from Indigenous athletes in all levels of sport; see a feature on the North American Indigenous Games; and visit a dedicated space, the Circle of Champions, which honours the Indigenous athletes that have been formally Inducted to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
An Update from Covenant House Vancouver
From donors to trades people, community support has led to empowering changes at Covenant House Vancouver.
“The challenges that youth encounter are complex, and our job is to ensure that they don’t face further obstacles when they reach out for support.” – Stephanie Gillingham, Director, Clinical Services & Complex Care
Drop-In Centre
Covenant House Vancouver’s Drop-In Centre is a low-barrier service. What does low barrier mean? Low barrier essentially means removing any obstacle that’s stopping a youth from accessing Covenant House’s services. To come into the Drop-In Centre, the requirements are minimal — youth just need to be within their age range of 16 –24. Youth don’t need to have a job, be in school, or have an income.
Over the last year, the number of youth who access this service has nearly doubled. In an effort to meet this challenge, the Drop-In Centre is now open seven days a week.
The Drop-In Centre provides youth with showers, clothing, laundry, and healthy meals. It also provides access to computers, video games, TV, and the Drop-In Centre is a place where youth can sleep. Youth use this space during the day to stay safe. It’s a space where they can just come and recharge.
The PNE Summer Night Concerts lineup is here! Featuring Blondie, BTO, Ludacris, Barenaked Ladies, Brad Paisley, The Commodores and The Pointer Sisters, and more! This season your Summer Night Concert ticket comes with a complimentary PNE Fair admission ticket.
Note all of the shows will be taking place inside the Pacific Coliseum while the new outdoor amphitheatre is being built (set to open in 2026).
PNE Summer Night Concerts Lineup
Fair Gate Passes do not include access to the Summer Night Concerts. Pre-Sale starts Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 10:00am and tickets go on sale Friday, April 12, 2024 at 10:00am. Tickets are only available through TicketLeader.
Saturday, August 17 – Burton Cummings & his Band with Colin James
Sunday, August 18 – Amanda Marshall with special guest Serena Ryder
Tuesday, August 20 – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Wednesday August 21 – Blondie
Thursday, August 22 – John Fogerty
Friday, August 23 – Brad Paisley
Saturday August 24 – *To Be Announced*
Sunday August 25 – Charlotte Cardin
Tuesday, August 27 – The Commodores with The Pointer Sisters
Wednesday, August 28 – Flo Rida
Thursday, August 29 – Blue Rodeo
Friday, August 30 – Ludacris
Saturday, August 31 – Punjabi Virsa Night 2024
Featuring the talents of three virtuoso brothers: Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer, and Sangtar.
Sunday, September 1 – Barenaked Ladies
Monday, September 2 – I Love the 90’s Tour featuring Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, All-4-One
The Summer Night Concerts will run every evening the Fair is open, starting on Saturday August 17th on the Chevrolet Stage in the Pacific Coliseum.
The Fair will be closed on, August 19th and August 26th. The PNE Fair’s full entertainment program will be announced in May.
About the PNE
Owned by the City of Vancouver, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a healthy and vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to delivering over 3 million visitors a year with memorable experiences through access to first-class cultural, music, sporting and family entertainment events, as well as access to public space for passive recreation.
Founded in 1910, the PNE’s home is Hastings Park, a multi-facility venue in Vancouver where the organization manages four activity streams: the annual PNE Fair, Playland Amusement Park, Park Care and Facility Maintenance and an expansive portfolio of year-round events. All revenues generated are invested back into park space, community programs and non-revenue generating educational and entertainment experiences.
