Road closures Saturday for Vancouver Vaisakhi parade

Thousands gathered in South Vancouver on Saturday, April 13, 2024, to celebrate Vaisakhi. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Streets in South Vancouver will be closed all day Saturday as thousands of people gather for the 47th annual Vaisakhi parade.

Vaisakhi is an important Sikh festival that celebrates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 and marks the spring harvest season in the Punjab region.

The parade will take a different route this year, a five-kilometre circuit beginning at the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara at 8000 Ross St.

The procession will travel:

• North on Ross Street to 57th Avenue
• West on 57th Avenue to Main Street
• North on Main Street to 49th Avenue
• West on 49th Avenue to Fraser Street
• South on Fraser Street to 57th Avenue
• East on 57th Avenue to Ross Street
• South on Ross Street

The parade takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and to accommodate the celebration there will be several road closures between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. They include:

• Main Street closed from East 49th Avenue to 57th Avenue
• Fraser Street closed from East 49th Avenue to 57th Avenue
• 57th Avenue closed from Main Street to Knight Street
• 49th Avenue closed from Main Street to Knight Street
• Ross Street closed from Southeast Marine Drive to 57th Avenue

Anyone driving to the airport or ferry terminal on Saturday is asked to plan an alternate route and allow for extra travel time.

“Vaisakhi is a deeply meaningful time of faith and reflection for the Sikh community, and an occasion that brings people across Vancouver together in celebration,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, in a statement. “I want to extend my warmest wishes for a joyful and safe Vaisakhi and Nagar Kirtan to everyone participating in this year’s festivities.”

The city says public safety is its top priority and it is working with the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services to ensure a smooth event.

The Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey, which is billed as the largest in the world, takes place the following Saturday, April 18.