Surrey Vaisakhi Parade 2016 breaks record with over 350,000 in attendance (PHOTOS)

Vaisakhi, the harvest festival of India’s Punjab region and the marker of the first solar month of the Punjabi calendar, was celebrated with a parade this weekend in Surrey. More than 350,000 people of all cultures came out on Saturday to watch the 18th annual parade, making it the largest attended event in the parade’s history.

This year’s parade featured 19 floats and Vancouverites showed up to watch performances, listen to live music, and eat delicious (free) food.

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In case you missed it, here are 21 photos of Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade for 2016.

surrey nagar kirtan. not my usual scene for taking photos. i actually haven’t been in a couple of years and kind of regret it; religious or not this city puts on for our people and there’s none like it.

A photo posted by parm gill (@dxwnti.me) on Apr 24, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT

A moment captured by @azizdhamani on the @redfmcanada stage during the #Surrey #Vaisakhi #NagarKirtan. Yours truly on stage with British Columbia’s Premier, Hon. Christy Clark #Vaisakhi #Surrey #Community #Premier #BritishColumbia #REDFM #stage #host #actor #radio #television #film

A photo posted by Vijay Vaibhav Saini (@vijayvsaini) on Apr 24, 2016 at 1:10pm PDT

The Man, the Myth, the Legend

A photo posted by Ashton Lobo (@ashton_lobo) on Apr 24, 2016 at 12:35pm PDT

A view of the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade from the @redfmcanada stage. #Vaisakhi #Parade #Surrey #NagarKirtan #REDFM #stage #Awesome #Community #spirit #celebrations #Canada

A photo posted by Vijay Vaibhav Saini (@vijayvsaini) on Apr 24, 2016 at 8:31am PDT

I wore abnormal today Thanks for the foods though 整條街，源源不絕的印度料理???????? 香料五味雜成，好吃但差點沒被辣死 原來印度拉茶根本不像市售那般… #2016 #vaisakhi #parade #Indian #friends #kindness #fresh #new #happy #exciting #first #experience #good #awesome #handtattoo #indian #food #milktea #icecream #spicy #yummy #cray #delicious #dessert #love #enjoy #my #life

A photo posted by Sh!ne (@shine_kuo) on Apr 24, 2016 at 12:08am PDT

#vancouver #vanig #hkig #hongkong #604 #852 #surrey #vaisakhi #happyvaisakhi

A photo posted by Eric (@canon10d) on Apr 23, 2016 at 11:33pm PDT

#vancouver #vanig #hkig #hongkong #604 #852 #surrey #vaisakhi #happyvaisakhi

A photo posted by Eric (@canon10d) on Apr 23, 2016 at 11:32pm PDT

Khalsa akaalpurakh ke fauj pragteyo khalsa parmatam ke mauj.#khalsaday#vaisakhi #nagarkirtan#khalsaparade #2016#diverese#communities #surrey#largest#nagarkirtan #chaa#pakore#fullonanand #thankyougod#forbeautifulday

A photo posted by Parmeet Singh (@parmeet1996) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:24pm PDT

When Punjabis get together to offer free food to one & all. Jalebis and Gol gappas too!! #vaisakhi Never thought it could be this big. #surrey

A photo posted by Suhani Sahoonja (@suhanisahoonja) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:23pm PDT

Happy Vaisakhi Everyone Shot by @vsangha _____________________________________ #truenorthstudios #betruetoyou #vaisakhi #sikh #surrey #vaisakhi2016 #vaisakhimela #parade #unity #sikhism #love #family #story #cinematography #surreyvaisakhi #orange #blue #religious #sikhi #gatka #surreyparade #2016 #video #videooftheday #wedding #photography #indian #mela #khalsa #india

A photo posted by True North Studios (@tnorthstudios) on Apr 23, 2016 at 8:06pm PDT

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade 2016.. #surrey #vancouver #vaisakhi #vaisakhi2016 #britishcolumbia #vancitybuzz

A photo posted by Daman (@daman1987) on Apr 23, 2016 at 7:05pm PDT

Am I in India?? #nope #surrey #vaisakhi #parade

A photo posted by @carolynwalter on Apr 23, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

#vaisakhi #selfie #besties

A photo posted by @siyamalatharmavarathan on Apr 23, 2016 at 3:27pm PDT

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade 2016 #igersvancity #igvancouver #narcityvancouver #vancouverlife #showoffvancouver #discovervancity #exploreyvr #vancity #vancouvercanada #vancitynow #vancitybuzz #vancityhype #insidevancouver #hellobc #vancouverisawesome #vancouverofficial #photooftheday #huffpostbc #604now #604canvas #mustbevancouver #viewsome #explorevancouver #showoffvancouver #discovervancity #veryvancouver #vancityfeed #vaisakhivancouver2016 #vaisakhi #surrey #bc #canada

A photo posted by #igersvancity, Vancouver, BC. (@igersvancity) on Apr 23, 2016 at 3:05pm PDT

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade 2016 #igersvancity #igvancouver #narcityvancouver #vancouverlife #showoffvancouver #discovervancity #exploreyvr #vancity #vancouvercanada #vancitynow #vancitybuzz #vancityhype #insidevancouver #hellobc #vancouverisawesome #vancouverofficial #photooftheday #huffpostbc #604now #604canvas #mustbevancouver #viewsome #explorevancouver #showoffvancouver #discovervancity #veryvancouver #vancityfeed #vaisakhivancouver2016 #vaisakhi #surrey #bc #canada

A photo posted by #igersvancity, Vancouver, BC. (@igersvancity) on Apr 23, 2016 at 2:59pm PDT

#vaisakhi #cottoncandy #pink #matches #aesthetic Hahahaha Sonia it was #meanttobe

A photo posted by CHARANKANWAL (@char.ankanwal) on Apr 23, 2016 at 2:03pm PDT

Fun times and lots of free food at Vaisakhi Surrey! #freefood #vaisakhi #surrey #southasian #curry #chickpeas #pakora #chaat #icecream #mango #saag #paneer #rice #food #foodpic #foodporn #foodie #foods #eat #eats #instafood #instafoodie #instaeats #yvr #vancouver #vancouverfood #gastropostvan #hungry #vcbfood #indianfood

A photo posted by @wjleung45 on Apr 23, 2016 at 1:22pm PDT

Happy #Vaisakhi from @lbmg_van | we are so honored to be here in #Surrey today | #VaisakhiParade

A photo posted by Laura Ballance Media Group (@lbmg_van) on Apr 23, 2016 at 10:28am PDT

#vaisakhi bonding with the Mayor.. another gorgeous outfit by @madeinindia_surrey

A photo posted by Sonia Beeksma (@soniabeeksmatv) on Apr 23, 2016 at 10:15am PDT

Come see us at 76 avenue and 128th street at the #SurreyNagarKirtan! #prabu #quality #pureforsure #surrey #appetizers #potd #food #indianfood #tasty #fresh #hot #delicious #spinachpoppers #alootikki #paneerpakora #westcoast #homemade #enjoy #deliveries #monday #potd #sweets #vaisakhi

A video posted by @prabufoods on Apr 23, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

The 2016 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade and festival. This Saturday, April 23rd. The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade celebrates the Punjabi New Year in mid-April every year and attracts up to 300,000 people. Also known as the Surrey Khalsa Day Parade, the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade is in fact one of the largest of its kind in the world – outside the Punjab – and a must see experience for Vancouverites. It’s certainly not an event just for people of East Indian and Sikh backgrounds – it’s an amazing event for everyone! The parade starts at 9:30 am, with events finishing back at the Temple by around 4 pm For more info and to read about the history of this event visit: Vancouversbestplaces.com #vaisakhi #surreyvaysakhiparade #vancity #vancouver #vancitybuzz #vancouverdt #vancouversun #yvr #yaletown #bclions #coalharbour #dtvancouver #eastvancouver #georgiastraight #gastown #hellobc #kitsilano #kerrisdale #northvancouver #pointgrey #stanleypark #westend #westvancouver #604 #boredinvancouver #hellobc

A photo posted by Vancouver Events (@vancouver_events) on Apr 21, 2016 at 5:08pm PDT