Port Coquitlam, BC – May 1, 2023…The official start to the City of Port Coquitlam’s 100^th May Day is set to begin on Fri. May 5 at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) – Jon Baillie Arena at 7:30 p.m. with the May Day Opening Ceremony.

The May Day Opening Ceremony kicks off on Fri. May 5 featuring maypole dancing by local children and seniors, dance performances and the presentation of the 2023 May Day Royal Party. The evening also includes live music entertainment by Marie Hui Duo and performances by the Underground Circus. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the first 100 spectators through the doors will receive a one-day Recreation pass. 

“The excitement is building as we get closer to this centennial event taking place in the heart of downtown Port Coquitlam,” said Mayor Brad West. “You don’t want to miss out on this event. We are also very honoured to have an iconic Port Coquitlam family – the Fox family, lead the parade in this special year. Join us and experience the amazing energy that our community is known for and celebrate this 100^th May Days.”

Events continue throughout the week with a variety of May Days Arts and Culture events such as the student art exhibitions opening in Leigh Square on Fri. May 12, with a reception from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Michael Wright Art Gallery. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/maydays for more information.

Start the morning with a pre-parade breakfast at the Outlet on May 13 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. and then join us for the May Days Kids’ Bike Race at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Rotary May Day Parade at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Port Coquitlam. The longest-running, most iconic community parades in the Lower Mainland will be led by special guests – the Fox family as the parade marshals. Enjoy vibrant floats, marching bands, and much more.

Once the parade wraps up head over to the biggest event of the year – Party in the Square at the Terry Fox Hometown Square – Port Coquitlam Community Centre. An afternoon full of free activities for everyone of all ages, with live entertainment, games and rides, food trucks and vendors, beverage garden, May Days Market, kids and youth zone, and family quiet zone. From 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. enjoy a free concert with headliner JoJo Mason.

 “This free event is a fun-filled festival that is sure to bring a great energy to our downtown and to Port Coquitlam as a whole,” said Cllr. Paige Petriw, Council’s designate on community experience, celebrations, events and inclusion. “We can’t to celebrate this historic event.”

Other activities include Youth Week events and the May Days Flash Fiction Contest. Full schedule below.

Schedule of Events

May 5

• May Day Opening Ceremony, 7:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30 p.m.) at the Jon Baillie Arena at the Port Coquitlam Community Recreation Centre – 2150 Wilson Avenue

May 6

• Art Focus Artists’ Association Spring Show 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2253 Leigh Square.
• May Days Readers and Writers Festival – TriCity Wordsmiths 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre
• Book Fair and Market Hall 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mabbett Hall at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre

May 12

• SD43 Student Art Show: Imaginings V at the Michael Wright Art Gallery from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

May 13

• Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Leigh Square at the Outlet – $5
• May Days Kids’ Race 10:00 a.m. to kick off the parade
• Rotary May Day Parade, 11:00 a.m. start for parade along Shaughnessy, Elgin, Mary Hill and Hawthorne, ending at Tyner.
• Party in the Square noon to 10:00 p.m. free children’s activities, including Little Sprocket bike course; live entertainment by local talent; featuring, performance by JoJo Mason; food truck and beverage garden; May Days Market; Youth Zone, Community Safety Fair and Quake Cottage; Family Quiet Zone; Interactive Art Zone with PoCo Heritage and Museum, PoCo Arts Council; and more.

Parking and Road Closures:

Parking and vehicle access will be limited on several streets in downtown Port Coquitlam on May 13 starting at 6:00 a.m. with full closures in effect until 7:30 p.m. Streets include Shaughnessy, Elgin, McAllister, Donald, Wilson and Mary Hill. 

• Sat May 13 | 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Wilson Avenue closed – Between Mary Hill Road and Kingsway Avenue
• Sat May 13 | 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Leigh Square Place east of Shaughnessy St. closed
• Sat May 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Shaughnessy (Pitt River to Atkins) Rindall, Central, Hawthorne, Welcher & Tyner Ave. closed for parade assembly & dispersal. No street parking from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Sat May 13 | 9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Shaughnessy St. from Wilson Ave. to the Shaughnessy Underpass, Elgin Ave. & Mary Hill Rd. & Hawthorne to Tyner closed during the parade

Please use alternate routes along Coast Meridian Overpass, Lougheed Hwy, Reeve Street and Pitt River Road

Event-goers are encouraged to take transit, walk or cycle or enjoy free round-trip shuttle services to and from downtown Port Coquitlam. Shuttles will run from Minnekhada Middle School, James Park Elementary School, École Mary Hill Elementary School, and Castle Park Elementary School every 30 minutes from 10am-10pm.

For information about alternate routes, the parade route map, and full schedule of events, please visit portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.

May Days is organized in partnership with the May Days Committee, the Port Coquitlam Centennial Rotary Club and funded by Canadian Heritage and supported by the Province of British Columbia.

Sponsors include:

• Beedie
• Dominion Lending Centres
• Tri-City News – Media Sponsor
• Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (PoCo BIA)
• PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives
• Global BC – Radio/TV Sponsor
• Quantum Properties
• Kostklip
• Elevator Constructors – IUEC Local 82

Full event details, road closures, detours and more are available at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.

– 30 –

MEDIA CONTACT

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