Nearly 100,000 people took advantage of today’s pristine, sunny weather by attending the 25th annual Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade.
The celebrations and festivities mark both the Punjabi New Year and the anniversary of the Khalsa in 1699, one of Sikhism’s most important events.
The 10 kilometre long parade began just after 10 a.m. today and concluded at 5 p.m., running from the Ross Street Gurdwara Temple then through Main Street, Southeast Marine Drive, and 49th Avenue.
Spectators and participants were treated to musical performances, dancing, and free Sikh food along the parade route.
This crowds that this year’s festivities brought were a boon for the businesses at the Vancouver Punjabi Market, a two block stretch of retail on Main Street and 49th Avenue. The district has been struggling in recent years due to the relocation of businesses to Surrey, which is home to a large Sikh population that continues to outgrow Vancouver’s.
Surrey’s Vaisakhi Parade takes place on Saturday, April 19 and its parade route will begin at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple.
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora>
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora
Image: Sonika Arora