Canada’s largest Vaisakhi parade returns to Surrey, B.C. after hiatus | 24CA News
More than 500,000 folks have been in Surrey, B.C., for one of many largest Vaisakhi parades in Canada and perhaps even the world, organizers say.
The important multicultural group occasion has shut down a portion of Surrey streets as hundreds partake and watch the parade, the primary since 2019.
Hundreds of hundreds of individuals are in Surrey for the Vaisakhi parade.
Global News
“It is very positive seeing all these families being out here again,” stated Monider Singh, the parade’s organizer.
“After the hiatus, I think people have been very antsy to get back out here. It’s a big family event. If our projected numbers hold true, it may be the largest Vaisakhi parade in the world.”
Singh stated the anticipation for the occasion was obvious with greater than 1,000 volunteers signing as much as lend a serving to hand for Saturday’s festivities.
Throughout the day free vegetarian meals is served by households alongside the parade route all through the Newton neighbourhood.
Vaisakhi marks the Punjabi new yr and harvest season, together with the beginning of the Sikh faith with the founding of Khalsa in 1699.
Singh stated the vacation highlights the core values of Sikhism, together with inclusivity, dignity and respect for all.
“It is founded on values of righteousness, protection of human rights, equality for all regardless your background, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation,” he stated.
“It is a commitment to ensuring everyone has a right to dignity and respect.”
Saturday’s festivities will embrace an Indigenous land acknowledgement and drumming occasion, a parade that includes 20 floats, scores of cubicles and cultural shows and a nearly limitless choice of free foods and drinks.
The parade itself begins at 9 a.m. on the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, and there are quite a few street closures within the space to accommodate the anticipated crowds.
The 2023 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade route.
Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
“This event has really grown to include all other backgrounds and really this is what makes Surrey such a vibrant community.”
— with recordsdata from Simon Little
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
