Vaisakhi parade returns to Vancouver's streets after 3 years

Vancouver's Vaisakhi parade returned on Saturday for the first time since 2019, with hundreds of thousands of people out on the streets celebrating the Sikh festival marked every April, one gurdwara official estimated. 

The parade, which went through many streets in South Vancouver and the historic Punjabi Market district, had been off the streets since 2019 due to pandemic restrictions.

The event marks the creation of the order of the Khalsa in 1699 — a defining moment in Sikh history, which gave the Sikh faith its final form.

Vaisakhi is marked by colourful processions, as well as the practice of serving free meals to the community in acts of seva and langar, two significant aspects of the Sikh religion. 

Organizers say the return of the historic parade to Vancouver's streets — set to be followed by a bigger parade in Surrey, southeast of Vancouver, next weekend — shows the unity and acceptance of the Punjabi community within Canada.

"We are involving more youth, and involving more of the general public, because [Vaisakhi] is for everyone," said Jarnail Singh Bhandal, the secretary of the historic Ross Street gurdwara located in South Vancouver.

Bhandal said that, pre-pandemic, the parade would see around 150,000 people attend. This year, he estimated double that amount — 300,000 — were celebrating the harvest festival.

"Sikhism believes in the united nation and we believe that we should, as Canadians, we should unite, celebrate what we have and be thankful to the Almighty for what he has given us and move forward," said Jag Sanghera, a parade marshal for the event.

Music, bright colours and decorated floats were seen at the parade, including a tent from CBC Vancouver.

The Sikh holy scriptures — known as the Guru Granth Sahib — were carried through the streets on a float.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was in attendance Saturday, as was B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon and B.C. Premier David Eby.

"It's a wonderful celebration in a time of, it feels like, growing divisions," Eby told CBC News.

"It's a good reminder for all of us that the community can get together, celebrate in this way, recognize our differences and be proud to be Canadians and British Columbians."