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You're invited to celebrate our Canada's 151st birthday this Sunday, July 1 in Steveston. The fun begins bright and early, with the always-popular and colourful Steveston Salmon Festival parade at 10 a.m.

Photo courtesy City of Richmond

Celebrate Canada Day in Steveston

By Don Fennell

Published 4:08 PDT, Fri June 29, 2018

Last Updated: 2:12 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Rain or shine, Steveston is preparing to host our nation’s 151st birthday in style this Sunday, July 1.

Richmond Canada Day in Steveston, presented by Vancouver International Airport, will feature a huge street party throughout Steveston Village, a Roots Rock Reggae concert by Big Sugar, the beloved Steveston Salmon Festival, and finally fireworks over the Fraser River to cap the memorable day. More than 80,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s festival.

To help ensure everyone enjoys the celebrations, the city has the following tips:

•If you stroll to the festival on foot, you won’t have to deal with parking, and you’ll burn a few extra calories so you won’t feel guilty for eating that bag of mini donuts.

•For cyclists, the ride into Steveston includes many great bike routes. Take the path along the waterfront or ride down the Railway corridor. Store your bike (remember to wear a helmet) in one of two secure compounds, operated just like a coat check. Strollers can also be left behind. Bike valet locations will be at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and at the Steveston Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

•Three shuttle options make it easy to ditch the car and avoid the traffic congestion.

Option 1: Richmond City Hall to Britannia Shipyard: First bus leaves City Hall at 8:30 a.m. The shuttle will run approximately every 20 minutes with increased frequency beginning at 5 p.m. The last bus leaves Britannia Shipyards at 11 p.m. Parking for shuttle users will be available at Richmond City Hall (no hour limit enforced) and Richmond Centre South Parkade, levels 2, 3 and 4.

Option 2: Lord Byng Elementary to Gulf of Georgia Cannery: First shuttle departs Lord Byng at 1:30 p.m. Last shuttle service leaves Gulf of Georgia Cannery at 5:30 p.m.

Option 3: Translink bus from Richmond-Brighouse Station to Lord Byng Elementary School: Shuttle leaves from the south-bound side of No. 3 Road by the Saba Stop. First shuttle departs Richmond-Brighouse at 11:30 a.m. Last shuttle leaves Lord Byng at 11 p.m.

Transit users are advised that Translink will be running a modified bus schedule for July 1.

If you are planning on driving, you’re being encouraged to carpool as parking at the festival will be extremely limited. Festival goers and Steveston residents and merchants are also reminded that there will be a number of road closures throughout Steveston Village on July 1. The RCMP will begin road closures at 8 a.m. to secure the parade route. Moncton Street will fully re-open at 5 p.m. Sections of Bayview, No. 1 Road, and First Avenue will remain closed until 11 p.m. Check the event website for the road closure map.

Richmond Canada Day in Steveston includes the Steveston Salmon Festival, known as “Canada’s Biggest Little Birthday Party.” The festival is famous for its salmon barbecue and the region’s largest Canada Day Parade. Other attractions include a youth festival, Japanese cultural show, martial arts demonstrations, trade show, horticultural show, artisan gallery, pie and ice cream parlour, car show, food trucks and the expanded Spirit of Steveston licenced area.

Richmond’s Canada Day celebrations also include a huge Street Party spread throughout Steveston Village, which will feature 50 diverse performances on eight stages. The music includes headline performances by Big Sugar and up and coming Canadian artists Terra Lightfoot and Vince Vaccaro. The Street Party also features an artisan village, marketplace and food trucks. New this year is the Steveston Cup, featuring a fun 3-on-3 street hockey competition in honour of Canada’s favourite national sport, with a special guest appearance by Vancouver Canucks mascot Fin.

Festival goers can also explore the historic village with free activities at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Shipyards national historic sites, Steveston Museum and Steveston Interurban Tram.

For more information on the Steveston Salmon Festival visit the website.