Hundreds of residents and visitors to the Tri-Cities will descend on downtown Port Coquitlam on Saturday (May 13) for the May Days parade, considered to be one of the largest events in Metro Vancouver.
It's taking place on the final day of the 100th anniversary celebration week, marking the spring season's arrival and unity within the community.
While the weekend will provide free activities and programs for all ages, it could cause headaches for drivers looking to get to the festivities or through town in general.
Where are the closures?
Several road closures for the parade, live entertainment and activity booths start as early as 6 a.m., with some remaining in effect until 7:30 p.m.
The floats will roam downtown starting at 11 a.m. following a May Days kids' bike race at 10 a.m.
You can find a map of the parade route below.
Shaughnessy Street, Elgin Avenue, McAllister Avenue, Donald Street, Wilson Street and Mary Hill Road will be the busiest for May Days events, and parking will be very limited, the city said in a statement.
The road block schedule on Saturday is as follows:
- 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Wilson Avenue closed between Mary Hill Road and Kingsway Avenue (medical building will be accessible)
- 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Leigh Square Place east of Shaughnessy Street closed
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Shaughnessy (Pitt River to Atkins), Rindall, Central, Hawthorne, Welcher and Tyner Avenue closed for parade assembly and dispersal
- No street parking from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Shaughnessy Street from Wilson Avenue to the Shaughnessy Underpass, Elgin Avenue and Mary Hill Road, and Hawthorne to Tyner closed during the parade
PoCo city staff suggest drivers to use alternate routes like the Coast Meridian Overpass, Lougheed Highway, Reeve Street and Pitt River Road to avoid potential lengthy delays resulting from the parade.
Take the shuttle
Residents are also encouraged to potentially leave the vehicle at home, or park it at one of four local schools as a May Days shuttle service will be available on Saturday.
Buses are set to run round-trip every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. to the May Days festivities from Minnekhada Middle School, James Park Elementary, Mary Hill Elementary and Castle Park Elementary.
Shuttle busses will drop off event-goers at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) parking lot on Kingsway Avenue between Kelly Avenue and Wilson Avenue.
Interested parade-goers can also take transit, walk or bike to PoCo's downtown area.
Bicycle racks are located at Rowland Park (lacrosse box) on Mary Hill Road and Wilson Avenue, but you're asked to bring a lock as the sites will not be monitored, the city said.
Most activities and booths will be set up at Terry Fox Hometown Square at the PCCC. As well, a pre-parade $5 breakfast will serve up pancakes in the Outlet at Leigh Square from 8 to 11 a.m.
For more information and a parade schedule, you can visit the City of Port Coquitlam's website.
The Tri-City News is the media sponsor of the 100th May Days celebration.
