Straight Talk

Photos: Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver attracts massive crowd

by Charlie Smith on April 12th, 2014 at 5:52 PM
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      One of the city's biggest street parties of the year took place in South Vancouver today as tens of thousands showed up for the Vaisakhi parade.

      The annual Punjabi harvest festival commemorates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.

      The Khalsa was created as a military order to protect people of different faiths from being forcibly converted to Islam by Mughal invaders.

      To celebrate this holiday, Sikh families prepare delicious vegetarian meals, which are handed out for free to anyone who attends the parade.

      Below, you can see some photos from this year's event.

      When the weather's nice, the crowds are enormous.
      Dan McLeod

       

      Sikh youngsters have what it takes to be admitted into the Khlasa.
      Dan McLeod

       

      The Sikh Motorcycle Club joins the parade every year.
      Dan McLeod

       

      This motorcycle mascot isn't nearly as menacing as the emblems of other clubs.
      Dan McLeod

       

      Vision Vancouver park commissioner Niki Sharma joins Mayor Gregor Robertson and councillors (left to right) Andrea Reimer, Raymond Louie, and Tony Tang.
      Dan McLeod

       

      Vaisakhi is the traditional harvest festival across Punjab.
      Dan McLeod

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