The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade returns on Saturday, April 20th to host spectators and participants for a colourful and entertaining procession through the streets.
Surrey Vaisakhi Parade
Event organizers Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar expect the Surrey 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 Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade is April 13, 2024
Parade Route
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.”