SURREY—CUPE BC is proud to be participating in the 17th annual Surrey Khalsa Day parade, otherwise known as Vaisakhi, on Saturday (April 18). This year’s event starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar Temple, located at 12885-85 Avenue, and will conclude there at 4 p.m.
For thousands of years, Vaisakhi has been a time for Sikh farmers to put their sickles to harvest and celebrate the coming of a new year. In modern times, it has become a holy day to mark the birth of the Khalsa fraternity. Each year, people of all races and cultures attend this celebratory and rich cultural event, which features a large number of floats, community performers and live music. In observance of the parade’s harvest celebration roots, attendees are given free food and drink by the hundreds of participating local residents and businesses. Last weekend, Vancouver held its own Vaisakhi parade.
At Surrey’s event this year, CUPE BC executive board members will join the Committee Against Racism and Discrimination and local members at the union tent on 128th Street and 78th Avenue, where they will mark this rich annual tradition by distributing apples to parade goers.
For more information about Vaisakhi and this year’s parade in Surrey, including an event map and traffic details, visit the festival page.
