Port Coquitlam is gearing up to celebrate the 99th edition of one of the city's most popular celebrations.
May Days begins tonight (May 5) and runs through the weekend to mark the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.
The marquee moment of the weekend festival is the return of the May Days Grand Parade after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions scaled back activities and required the city to hold a drive-thru parade last year.
Organized by PoCo Rotarians, the parade is set to bring dozens of floats by local groups steering through downtown and marching bands for the musical entertainment.
As a result, it's set to cause road closures and traffic disruptions to accommodate the parade and family activities. (See below for details).
The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday (May 7).
You can find a route map at the bottom of the article.
Road closures are as follows:
- May 7, 6 a.m. to midnight
- Leigh Square Place east of Shaughneesy Street
- Donald Street and laneway behind Dairy Queen (2550c Shaughnessy St.)
- May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Shaughessy Street (Pitt River to Atkins) Rindall Avenue, Central Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue, Welcher Avenue and Tyner Avenue
- No street parking
- Shaughessy Street (Pitt River to Atkins) Rindall Avenue, Central Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue, Welcher Avenue and Tyner Avenue
- May 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Shaughnessy Street from Wilson Avenue to underpass
- Elgin Avenue and Mary Hill Road
- Hawthorne Avenue to Tyner Avenue
- May 7, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- McAllister Avenue from Shaughnessy street to Donald Street
- Closed for children and youth activities
As well, the city says there will be limited access to parking lots at city hall, Elks Hall and along Donald Street from 6 a.m. tomorrow (May 6) to 12 p.m. on Sunday (May 8).
A pancake breakfast is scheduled in The Outlet at Leigh Square before the May Days parade begins — hosted by the 4th PoCo Scouts.
Party in the Square is also set for the downtown core after the parade from noon to 5 p.m.
"We are extremely fortunate to have another team of dedicated volunteers lead this festival through the May Day Festival Roundtable to bring our community together for a jam-packed week of fun for the entire family," says PoCo Mayor Brad West in a statement on the city's website.
"On behalf of City Council and our staff, we look forward to bringing everyone together once again to celebrate our PoCo pride!"
For more information, you can visit the May Days page on the City of Port Coquitlam's website.
The Tri-City News is a partial sponsor of Port Coquitlam May Days.
