23 photos of Vancouver's Vaisakhi parade 2016

Vaisakhi has come and gone for another year, and with that, another parade here in Vancouver. Vaisahki celebrates the Punjabi new year through celebration, food, and dance, and is especially important for the Sikh community.

Vancouverites came out in droves to celebrate, with thousands of people lining the streets to watch this year’s parade. Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan and Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould made appearances, along with many local politicians, including Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and B.C. Premier Christy Clark.

In case you missed it, here are 23 photos of Vancouver’s Vaisahki Parade 2016. And if you want to partake in more festivities, the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade will be happening on Saturday, April 23 – and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to turn out.

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A sea of covered heads: over 100K came out to celebrate at today’s #Vancouver #Vaisakhi Festival pic.twitter.com/1SQP2hOhor

— Neil Parkinson-Dow (@NeilPDow) April 17, 2016

Our publisher @gurvinderhundal with the Mayor of Vancouver at #vaisakhiparade

A photo posted by Darpan Magazine (@darpanmagazine) on Apr 16, 2016 at 12:25pm PDT

The badass Sikh Motorcycle Club #vaisakhiparade

A photo posted by Terran (@terrannosaurus) on Apr 16, 2016 at 3:11pm PDT

HAPPY VAISAKHI VANCOUVER #Waheguru #Vancouver #Vaisakhi #VaisakhiParade

A photo posted by Karmvir Cooner (@coonerdholi) on Apr 16, 2016 at 12:20pm PDT

Vancouver’s Sikh population celebrated this year’s Vaisakhi Parade today– and everyone was invited. You can see thousands of people in the picture which was just a small part of the entire procession.. I feel so proud to belong to a community which always spearheads to serve others.. A simple gesture as offering free food goes a long way in the hearts of many and that is just a tip of the iceburg… It is a day that marks both the New Year and the anniversary of one of Sikhism’s most important events, the establishment of Khalsa in 1699. Close to 100,000 people are thought to have turned out, making it the biggest parade in Vancouver. Parade-goers enjoyed East Indian music, thousands of people in beautiful traditional clothing, and free food including curry lunches, ice cream and more tasty treats. This week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also celebrating Vaisakhi. “Sikhism is rooted in teachings of equality, unity, selfless service and social justice – the very values which we all strive to incorporate in our daily lives,” said Trudeau in a statement. “Canada is proud to be home to one of the largest Sikh populations in the world, and we thank the community for the immense contributions it makes to our country.” #vaisakhiparade #vaisakhi2016 #vancouvervaisakhi #sikhism #langar #fraserstreet #punjabi #mainstreet #religion #sikh #innerpeace #visualsoflife #spiritual #travelstoke #vancouvercanada #604now #beautifulbc #tourismbritishcolumbia #vancouverphotographer #amatuerphotography #vancitybuzz #vancouvering #ig_great_shots_canada #natgeotravel #enjoyvancouver #vancouverisawesome #MustBeVancouver #IloveBC #thatphotoguy #instacool

A photo posted by That Photo Guy (@that.photo.guy) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:40pm PDT

Checked out some of the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade after work. The parade was happening right up my street. ???? I just love East Indian culture. #vaisakhiparade #vaisakhi2016 #eastindianculture #sikhparade #colours #sarees #women #kids

A photo posted by DanikaBell (@belleightyseven) on Apr 16, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

It’s interesting to be part of the new years of different cultures, fun and you learn some. #vaisakhiParade #festivefoods #newyearfestivities

A photo posted by KY (@blueearlgrey) on Apr 16, 2016 at 2:54pm PDT

#nagarkirtan #Vancouver @vancouver_canada @explorecanada #vaisakhi

A photo posted by ਬਲਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਰਾੜ (@baljitsinghbrar) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:43pm PDT

Fomos ao Vaisakhi, um ótimo evento tradicional indiano com parada e muita comida a vontade. Tudo muito bom e DE GRAÇA! 😀 #canada #canadadiario #festa #comida #indiano #vaisakhi

A photo posted by Canada Diario (@canadadiario) on Apr 16, 2016 at 3:56pm PDT

What an amazing Vancouver India vaisakhi parade2016 with traditional event!!!!! Enjoyed food, met lots of ppl, helped community… So worth it! #vancouver #vaisakhi #2016 #india #event #traditional #NDP #volunteer #niceweather #nicepeople #langara #fraser #main #great #daily #canada #punjabi

A photo posted by Yumin Laura Lee in Canada (@yyu_m) on Apr 18, 2016 at 1:27am PDT

Rollin on #dubs #hummer #rims #vaisakhi

A photo posted by Alex “Rock N Roll” Alvarez (@oglilwaynefan69) on Apr 17, 2016 at 3:35pm PDT

Happy #Vaisakhi from your Vision Vancouver team! #GreenestCity pic.twitter.com/BhQiqKalYn

— Vision Vancouver (@VisionVancouver) April 16, 2016

#nothingbutaSihkthang #vaisakhi

A photo posted by Horsley Wesfall (@horsley_wesfall) on Apr 17, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT

#Vaisakhi celebrations highlight BC’s rich multiculturalism that makes us the envy of the world. Lakh Lakh Vadaiya! pic.twitter.com/OTc6JDnArW

— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) April 17, 2016

What a cool tradition: @jjhorgan & I have met these women on the same #vaisakhi parade corner 3 yrs in a row! #bcndp pic.twitter.com/WOTwZRB8RE

— Judy Darcy (@DarcyJudy) April 18, 2016

Great day at #Vaisakhi @CityofVancouver! @VancouverPD @kdsross @DeputyChiefRai #CommunityPolicing pic.twitter.com/sEyXqfyS2m

— Adam Palmer (@ChiefPalmer) April 17, 2016

The Sikh Motorcycle Club’s #H2 with #suicidedoors. #Vaisakhi #parade #vscocam

A photo posted by Dinah (@dinahquan) on Apr 17, 2016 at 10:40am PDT

#vancouvernagarkirtan #vancouver #vaisakhi #blessed

A photo posted by Abby (@abby.gill09) on Apr 17, 2016 at 9:11am PDT

Vaisakhi 2016 #Vaisakhi #Sikh #EastVan #EastVancouver #Vancouver #Canada #BritishColumbia #festival #East49thAvenue #EastIndian #SouthAsian #parade #desi #crowd #streetphotography #street

A photo posted by Philip Tong (@lunabluephoto) on Apr 17, 2016 at 8:00am PDT

인도축제!! 사람 완전 많아.. #vancouver #vaisakhi #festival #벤쿠버

A photo posted by @dltlsgo70 on Apr 16, 2016 at 11:18pm PDT

Sikh motorcyclists in the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade on April 16, 2016. For more on the event see http://vancouversbestplaces.com/events-calendar/festivals-and-events/vaisakhi-parades/vancouver-vaisakhi-celebrations/ #punjabimarket #vancouverbc #vaisakhi #vaisakhi2016

A photo posted by Vancouver’s Best Places (@vansbestplaces) on Apr 16, 2016 at 10:00pm PDT

Great day serving #himalayarestaurant pakoras + sweets #punjabimarket #vancouver #vaisakhi @erinyvr

A photo posted by Melissa De Genova (@melissadegenova) on Apr 16, 2016 at 8:08pm PDT

Happy Vaisakhi.. I ate a lot of Indian food.. For Indian, today is a big day but for some Chinese or Taiwanese.. This parade is a free shopping day.. #vancouver #canada #indian #india #vaisakhi #indianfood

A photo posted by LC.H (@lc_h0016) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:55pm PDT

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