Tuesday, February 10, 2026
    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. 

     

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Disaster aid in Fraser Valley floods

    Disaster aid in Fraser Valley floods
    The federal government estimates it will need to pay almost $3.4 billion for its share of the disaster recovery bills for flooding and landslides that devastated British Columbia's Fraser Valley in November 2021. But more than two years after that disaster occurred, only about 40 per cent of that has been paid.

    Disaster aid in Fraser Valley floods

    Surrey council restricts access over 'disruptive' pro-Palestine protests

    Surrey council restricts access over 'disruptive' pro-Palestine protests
    City council in Surrey says it is restricting public access to its meetings after persistent disruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters. Mayor Brenda Locke began Monday's meeting by announcing that the public would be allowed to attend meetings on city premises, but outside the gallery.

    Surrey council restricts access over 'disruptive' pro-Palestine protests

    B.C. to hike commercial vehicle crash penalties after 35 over-height truck incidents

    B.C. to hike commercial vehicle crash penalties after 35 over-height truck incidents
    The New Democrat government says it's proposing changes to the Commercial Transport Act that currently prescribes fines for over-height vehicles of $500 to $598, levels that are unchanged for decades. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the proposed changes are in response to 35 crashes involving over-height commercial vehicles since late 2021.

    B.C. to hike commercial vehicle crash penalties after 35 over-height truck incidents

    Richmond seeks federal funding to house refugees crowding homeless shelters

    Richmond seeks federal funding to house refugees crowding homeless shelters
    The City of Richmond in British Columbia is urging the federal government to provide more temporary housing for refugees and asylum seekers or pay for the use of city shelters, with the newcomers taking up about a third of all beds at one shelter last year. Coun. Carol Day, whose motion proposing the request was passed unanimously by the council on Monday, says local residents experiencing homelessness have been denied shelter spaces because of the phenomenon.

    Richmond seeks federal funding to house refugees crowding homeless shelters

    B.C. auditor general says accounting fix should improve tax revenue estimates

    B.C. auditor general says accounting fix should improve tax revenue estimates
    British Columbia auditor general Michael Pickup says the provincial government is using more up-to-date information to forecast income tax revenue, something he expects to improve financial estimates that have routinely been off by more than $1 billion every year.

    B.C. auditor general says accounting fix should improve tax revenue estimates

    Surrey fire deemed suspicious

    Surrey fire deemed suspicious
    Mounties say they responded to a call around 7 p-m on Sunday to the complex in the 13300 block of 103 avenue, and firefighters were already on scene evacuating the building.  Police say anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity should contact the Surrey RCMP.

    Surrey fire deemed suspicious

    PrevNext