Port Coquitlam, BC – Mar. 23, 2022… Mark your calendar for May to 5 to 7, when
downtown Port Coquitlam celebrates its 99^th annual May Day Festival with free family activities, local culture, live entertainment and more.

Dating back to 1923, May Days is Port Coquitlam’s annual spring festival. The festival officially kicks off with the May Day Opening Ceremony on May 5, 7:30 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, featuring Maypole dancing by local children, dance performances and the presentation of the 2022 May Day Royal Party.

Thousands of people from throughout Metro Vancouver will head to downtown Port Coquitlam on May 7 for the annual Rotary May Day Parade – one of the largest in the region – followed by an afternoon of entertainment and activities in Leigh Square.

“The 99^th annual spring festival – May Days is back. What a way to kick off of the start of the City’s 2022 events. >The City is ready to move forward after two challenging years and we can’t wait to welcome people back this iconic event to celebrate, be together again and be reminded of all the things we love about our community.” said Mayor Brad West. “We have truly missed this annual event and I am looking forward to the great energy that our City brings to downtown Port Coquitlam on March 7.”

The main parade starts at 11 a.m. May 7 in downtown Port Coquitlam. Early birds can enjoy a pre-parade pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Outlet at Leigh Square, with the $5 cost supporting the 4th PoCo Scouts.

Groups and individuals interested in being a part of the parade can apply online by April 8 at rotarymayday.ca. 2019’s parade featured 100 participants and was enjoyed by 12,000 spectators.

Party in the Square, sponsored this year by Spraggs Law, will follow the parade from noon to 5 p.m. Highlights include:

• Live entertainment in the Leigh Square bandshell headlined by Dr. Strangelove, an entertaining and energizing dance band,
• Food trucks and beverage garden,
• Free kids and youth zone,
• Interactive Art Zone with bird and pollinator-themed activities,
• May Day Market featuring local businesses and artisans, and community displays, and
• An emergency preparedness fair.

“This signature event provides some of the best opportunities to experience the vibrancy of our community, both for visitors and locals.” West said. “There’s nothing like showcasing our community, that’s what we’re also excited about.”

May Day’s roots go back centuries. In ancient times, May was a time of outdoor celebration, and May Day was celebrated by the Romans with flower-decked parades in honour of Flora, their goddess of flowers. While PoCo’s festival has evolved and grown over the years, it has maintained many of its original traditions, including Maypole dancing and the crowning of local children as May Day “royalty” – a May Queen and Ambassador along with a Royal Party.

May Days is organized in partnership with the May Days Committee, PoCo Heritage, the Port Coquitlam Centennial Rotary Club, Port Coquitlam BIA, Kinsmen Club of Port Coquitlam, and funded by Canadian Heritage. Sponsors include Spraggs Law, PoCo Sweet Shop, Coquitlam Florist, Tim Hortons, Wilson Seniors Advisory Council, Royal Purple, and the Tri-City News.

Full event details, including road closures and parking are available 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