Port Coquitlam is not going to let the nearly 100-year old May Day tradition fall by the wayside just because of COVID-19.
There will still be scavenger hunts, a legacy video, crafts, online art exhibits and even a drive-through event featuring May Day royalty — just don’t call it a parade.
Starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, residents are invited to safely cheer on the May Days Royal Party, city council and staff as they make their way through neighbourhoods in their decorated cars, garbage trucks and fire trucks.
Parades are a long-standing tradition in Port Coquitlam since May Days started in the 1920s and have been a joyous occasion for dressing up, music and showing off.
But last year the city had to pivot to a drive-thru event to stop people from congregating together on city streets. Mayor Brad West hopes this year’s caravan will be a success.
“After the past year, we wanted to wrap up our May Days celebrations by lifting everyone’s spirits, and what better way to do that than by bringing back last years’ popular drive-through cheer,” said Mayor West.
Details about the May Days activities are posted at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays, which will include a special legacy video release hosted by Mayor Brad West on Saturday at 3 p.m. and the launch of an I Love PoCo contest with prizes.
The drive-thru event comes as the city has been declared one of 19 COVID-19 virus hotspots and people 30 and older are encouraged to get their shots.
The route kicks off at 6 p.m. from the city’s Public Works Centre, 1737 Broadway and heads through the downtown before continuing to the northside along Prairie Avenue. Vehicles will return to the southside via Fremont, travelling along the Mary Hill Bypass, Pitt River Road, Citadel Drive, lower Shaughnessy Street and Eastern and Western Drives, and back to the Public Works Centre at approximately 8 p.m.
A map of the route can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays, along with details about activities taking place during May Days.
It’s hoped that PoCo residents will watch the caravan from the front of their homes and balconies while following all public health orders and avoiding large gatherings
OTHER PROJECTS, PROGRAMS TO CELEBRATE MAY DAY
• A legacy video – to be released online May 8 at 3 p.m. and hosted by Mayor West. The video will share the history of May Days in Port Coquitlam while featuring the 2021 May Days Royal Party and performances by local talent.
• Virtual launch May 8 of the Donald Storywalk – at portcoquitlam.ca/storywalk, showcasing Jade Wong’s winning story from the 2020 Flash Fiction contest illustrated by Wen Wen Lu, the City’s 2020 Lions Park Artist in Residence. Later this spring, the illustrated story will be installed in panels along the Donald Pathway.
• Launch of the I Love PoCo contest – Look for new children’s artwork with the I Love PoCo theme on signs in local parks and public spaces for a chance to win one of five $50 gift cards to a Port Coquitlam business of your choice. To enter, take photos with five signs and post on social media, tagging the city and using the hashtag #ilovepoco #portcoquitlam. The contest runs until the end of May.
• A scavenger hunt in downtown Port Coquitlam – continuing until the end of May and held in collaboration with the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association.
• Naturally PoCo Street Banners – roll-out of the new street banners featuring photos submitted by local photographers showcasing Port Coquitlam’s natural beauty.
• The online exhibit Imaginings III – A Virtual Collection of Port Coquitlam Student Artwork – continuing at portcoquitlam.ca/exhibitions until June 25.
Residents are also encouraged to celebrate May Days in their households by decorating their windows with spring flowers and the May Days logo (available online or in May 6 issue of the Tri-City News), planning a picnic at a local park with their household, and ordering takeout to support a local business.
Some businesses are offering May Days specials – see downtownpocobia.com for details.
For more information about May Days or to download the logo, visit portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
May Days is organized in partnership with the May Days Committee and the Port Coquitlam Centennial Rotary Club and is funded by Canadian Heritage.
