The Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade is one of the largest in the world outside of the Punjab region and after three years of COVID cancellations, it is making a triumphant return this weekend.
Event organizers at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar are expecting a crowd of over 500,000 people will gather from around the world to celebrate the Sikh holiday.
Over 2,500 participants representing 20 community organizations will be taking to the streets of Surrey as part of a colourful and entertaining procession. There will also be hundreds of booths along the parade route sponsored by local businesses and families giving away free food and treats.
Vaisakhi is a celebration of the spring harvest in Northern India but in Canada Sikhs also mark the founding of the Khalsa. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa, a seminal event in Sikh history and one that is celebrated by many as an opportunity to share faith with family and friends.
“After having to cancel the parade and the other weekend celebrations for the past three years, we know that the community locally in B.C. as well as guests who travel from as far away as across the US, Europe and Australia will be thrilled to hear that the 2023 Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade is definitely back on,” says Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar President, Gurdeep Singh Samra in a press release.
“We are expecting significant crowds to gather to celebrate this important event in the Sikh calendar, and we look forward to welcoming people of all ages and ethnicities to celebrate along with us at this free, family-friendly event.”
Organizers warn that most streets near the parade route will be blocked to traffic, and parking will be difficult to find. You can find the map here.
Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade
When: Saturday, April 22. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Starts at the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar, 12885 85th Avenue, Surrey
