Approximately half a million people are expected to attend the annual Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade Saturday, making it the largest Vaisakhi event of its kind in the world.
Sikhs around the world have celebrated the annual event, one of the most important days in the Sikh calendar, since 1699, according to event organizers.
One of the world’s largest Sikh gatherings is underway in Surrey, the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan/Khalsa Day Parade begins from Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara. pic.twitter.com/cxrokwXCLo
“Vaisakhi is also a celebration of the spring harvest – a moment to give thanks for what has grown through hard work, sacrifice, and labour,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
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“It reminds us that renewal does not come on its own, nor does harvest arrive by accident – a better future must be nurtured, tended to, and grown.”
An Indigenous elder is offering the opening welcome as North America’s largest Sikh gathering gets underway in Surrey, the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan/Khalsa Day Parade. pic.twitter.com/X5YXf2888y
The Surrey parade has been running for 26 years. This year’s route began at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple, located at 85th Avenue and 128th Street. Several road closures will be in effect.
This isn’t the Lower Mainland’s first major Vaisakhi event this year. Tens of thousands gathered in South Vancouver on April 11 to celebrate, making it the largest single-day festival in the city of Vancouver. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was spotted among the crowds this year.
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