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: 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: 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.
