Slap on your sunscreen and grab a hat for Saturday’s, May 11, day-long May Days parade and festival in Port Coquitlam.
That’s the message from the city as the mercury is expected to reach 25°C during the 101st annual celebrations in the downtown core.
Misting stations will be running in the afternoon for the Party in the Square.
And don’t forget to cheer on the Port Coquitlam Saints as they host a lacrosse tournament in the recreation centre all weekend.
Here’s the rundown for May Days:
6 a.m., road closures
The following streets will be shut until 7:30 p.m. during May Days:
- Shaughnessy Street
- Elgin Avenue
- McAllister Avenue
- Donald Street
- Wilson Avenue
- Mary Hill Road
8 a.m., pancake breakfast
Start your morning with flapjacks and coffee served by the 4th PoCo Scouts in The Outlet at Leigh Square (behind Port Coquitlam City Hall). The cost is $5 a plate. A meal is available until 11 a.m.
10 a.m., free shuttle
Parking is limited in the downtown, so walk, cycle, take transit or hop on the free city shuttle, leaving every 30 minutes from:
- Minnekhada Middle School
- James Park Elementary School
- Mary Hill Elementary School
- Castle Park Elementary School
Strollers are allowed, but need to be folded up on the bus.
The drop-off location is the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The shuttle ends at 10 a.m.
10 a.m., kids bike race
Cheer on the children registered in the May Days Kids Bike Race that starts on Shaughnessy Street and McAllister Avenue.
There are three heats:
- at 10:10 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 10:20 a.m.
- ages three to five
- at 10:25 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- ages five to eight
- at 10:35 a.m.
- ages nine to 12
11 a.m., Rotary parade
Longtime Port Coquitlam volunteers Walter and Bonnie Van Dimmelen, with the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs as well as with the Hawthorne Seniors Care Community, will marshal the parade. Grab a seat on a downtown street to see the floats, marching bands and displays.
12 to 8:30 p.m., Party in the Square
After the procession, walk over to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) for the Party in the Square at the Terry Fox Hometown Square.
There will be a carnival on Kelly Avenue with free rides for kids and inflatables.
Entertainment line-up
- 12 p.m.: Choral Connections
- 12:35 p.m.: The Coyotes
- 1:15 p.m.: Carmelina Cupo Trio
- 2:20 p.m.: Royal Oak
- 3:20 p.m.: Golden Spike Can Can Dancers
- 4 p.m.: Side One (first set)
- 5:45 p.m.: Annika and the Earthlings
- 6:45 p.m.: Side One (second set)
Food trucks
- Dos Amigos
- Just in Time Smoke BBQ
- Reel Mac N Cheese
- Rocky Point Ice Cream
- S for Skewer
- Teriyaki Express
- Tornado Potato
- Bevees
- Gary’s Kettle Corn
- Banana Bike
- Lemon Heaven
Beer garden
- Taylight Brewing
- Tinhouse Brewing
- Patina Brewing
- PoCo Brothers Brewing
- Nice Life
Market vendors
Shoppers can tour the May Days Market from noon to 6 p.m. along Wilson Avenue, in front of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, to talk to vendors and purchase goods.
- Anna Kishida Art & Ceramics
- Array of Sunshine Stained Glass Design
- Arthurbutus Designs
- Aspire Martial Arts
- AXE Fresh Bake Inc. DBA Creme Brulee To Go
- BabyGoRound
- Brendaz closet
- BTM Lawyers LLP
- Casual Games
- Code Ninjas
- Crossroads Hospice Society
- Crystolab
- Daisy Chain Designs
- Down to Earth Designs
- Downtown PoCo BIA
- Frekk & Glitter
- Gonzalo Art
- Harmony Jewellery
- Infusion Premium Foods Inc.
- Kerry’s Handmade Creations
- Krafty Kreations
- Krista Wallace
- lil so&so handmades
- Lil’ Lucie’s Sweet Treats
- Lilac Rain Crafts
- Little Bath Bombs & Little Clau Co.
- Little Lamb’s Daycare Inc.
- Lumiere Leslie Candles
- Matthew’s Magical Marvels
- Melodys Momentos
- Miss.Panda Handmade
- MLA Mike Farnworth’s office
- MP Ron McKinnon’s office
- Mysgreen
- Mystic Henna Tattoos
- Norwex
- Old Ivy Style
- Orient Treasures
- Peach Blossom Dream
- Personal Best Martial Arts Academy
- Pizzelle Pals
- PoCo Foundation
- PoCo Soap
- Port Coquitlam & District Hunting and Fishing Club (PCDHFC)
- PULSE Dance Centre
- Relaxation Island
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Shauna Lynn Designs
- Sherabo Organics Inc
- Shine Bright
- Sihle Skincare
- Student Works Painting
- TAILOR GRAPHICS STUDIO
- Tara’s Soap Shop
- Team Roycroft
- Thirteen Tesoros
- TLC Cozy Bags
- Tooth Be Told Dental Hygiene Studio
- Tswift Banners
- Westwood Total Health
- 30 Minute Hit
Sensory-friendly space
For visitors needing a calm space during the festivities, head over to the Wilson Lounge or the Terry Fox Library — both inside the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.).
The Tri-City News is a sponsor of the 101st annual May Days in Port Coquitlam.
