Port Coquitlam, BC – May. 10, 2022… The City of Port Coquitlam wrapped up its 99^th annual May Day Festival, greeting over 6,000 people who gathered in downtown Port Coquitlam Saturday for the 99^th annual May Days festival.

The event began with the opening ceremonies on Thurs. May 5 with over 300 spectators at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre – Jon Baillie Arena featuring this year’s Royal Party and traditional Maypole dancing by local children. The evening included live music entertainment by Paul Filek and performances by the Underground Circus. The first 99 spectators also received a one-day Recreation pass. 

Thousands of people from throughout Metro Vancouver headed to downtown Port Coquitlam on May 7 for the annual Rotary May Day Parade – one of the largest in the region – featuring colourful floats, marching bands and dancers from over 60 local community groups and businesses. Sally Hurst, President of Canadian Royal Purple led the parade as the 2022 Parade Marshal and the emcee was Mark Friebe from the Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre.

“It was amazing to see the positive energy, big crowds and our strong sense of community on display. I had many people tell me it was one of the best May Days in years. After a two-year hiatus, the event came roaring back. The weather held up and it was great to see all the smiling faces of everyone from the little ones to our seniors, enjoying and celebrating our community spring festival,” said Mayor Brad West. “I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the team of volunteers, all of our sponsors and our City staff who help make this event such a success.”

The afternoon wrapped up with Party in the Square sponsored by Spraggs Law. Highlights include:

• Live entertainment in the Leigh Square bandshell headlined by Dr. Strangelove,
• Culturally diverse performances by Amira Belly Dance Group, Mellado Dance, Alex Wells, Tri City School of Music and Spirit Dance Academy
• Food trucks by Jerk Shack, Indish Food and 4^th PoCo Scouts
• Beverage garden hosted by the Kinsmen club which included Patina Brewing and Provincial Spirits
• Kids and youth zone on McAllister Avenue
• May Day Market featuring local businesses and artisans, and community displays, and
• An emergency preparedness fair.

“The May Days Festival is a celebration of what makes our community so vibrant, both for visitors and locals,” West said. “We are excited and looking forward to celebrating a significant milestone in 2023 – 100^th May Day Festival.”

May Days is organized in partnership with the May Days Committee, PoCo Heritage, the Port Coquitlam Centennial Rotary Club, Downtown Port Coquitlam BIA, Terry Fox Library, Kinsight, PoCo Arts Council, Art Focus and Kinsmen Club of Port Coquitlam.

Many of the 2022 sponsors returned from previous years including Party in the Square sponsor Spraggs Law, Wilson Seniors Advisory Council, Royal Purple, Tim Hortons and media sponsor Tri-City News. New sponsors included PoCo Sweet Shop and Coquitlam Florist. Funding for May Days was also received from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

In the next coming months, the City will begin its plans to celebrate the next milestone -100^th May Day festival 2023.

Photos and sponsorship information can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca