The official start to the City of Port Coquitlam's 101st May Day is set to begin on Sun. May 5 at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) - Jon Baillie Arena at 3:00 p.m. with the May Day Opening Ceremony.
The May Day Opening Ceremony kicks off on Sun. May 5 featuring maypole dancing by local children and seniors, dance performances and the presentation of the 2024 May Day Royal Party. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the first 100 spectators through the doors will receive a one-day Recreation pass.
Join us on Sat. May 11 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 parade in the Lower Mainland. Enjoy vibrant floats, marching bands, and much more.
Once the parade wraps up, head over to one of the biggest events of the year - Party in the Square at the Terry Fox Hometown Square - Port Coquitlam Community Centre at 12:00 p.m. An afternoon full of free activities for all ages, with live entertainment, games and rides, food trucks, beverage garden, May Days Market and family quiet zone.
Other activities include Youth Week events and the May Days Tiny Love Stories Contest in partnership with the Terry Fox Library. Full schedule below.
Schedule of Events
May 5-11
- Art exhibitions at PCCC, City Hall, The Outlet and Michael Wright Art Gallery- visit portcoquitlam.ca/exhibitions
- Workshops with Lions Park Artist in Residence Nickie Lewis. More info at portcoquitlam.ca/air
May 5
- May Day Opening Ceremony, 3:00 p.m. (doors open 2:30 p.m.) at the Jon Baillie Arena at the Port Coquitlam Community Recreation Centre - 2150 Wilson Avenue
May 11
- May Days Kids' Bike 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 12:00pm to 8:00 p.m. free children's activities, including Little Sprocket bike course and hands on art making; live entertainment by local talent; food truck and beverage garden; PoCo Heritage, Art Focus Artists' Association; and more.
- May Days Market and Community Safety Fair, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Sensory Friendly Space, in partnership with Kinsight, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Call for Volunteers
The City has a variety of roles for people ages 15 and up who would like to be part of the May Days festivities.
Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the event, including:
- Kids' Bike Race - help engage, organize and direct kids in the Kids' Bike Race as they line up for their turn to race.
- Children's Activities - engage children and families with art activities, face painting, or at the Little Sprockets bike track.
- Event Assistants - assist with tent and table set-up, provide event information and directions to activities, or assist vendors at the May Days Market.
More information and a registration link can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer.
Parking and Road Closures:
Parking and vehicle access will be limited on several streets in downtown Port Coquitlam on May 11 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 11 - 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Wilson Avenue closed - Between Mary Hill Road and Kingsway Avenue
- Sat May 11 - 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Leigh Square Place east of Shaughnessy St. closed
- Sat May 11 - 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 11 - 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, Mary Hill Elementary and Castle Park Elementary School approximately every 30 minutes from 10am-10pm. An accessible shuttle bus will also be available on both the north and south side locations. Please visit the website for details: portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
For information about alternate routes, the parade route map, and full schedule of events, please visit portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Sponsors include:
- Wesbild - Gold Sponsor
- Tri-City News - Media Sponsor
- Global BC - Radio/TV Sponsor
- Quantum Properties - Bronze Sponsor
- Elevator Constructors - IUEC Local 82 - Bronze Sponsor
- Aspira Astoria - Community Sponsor
- Hastings Mill Brewing Co. - Community Sponsor
Full event details, road closures, detours and more are available at portcoquitlam.ca/maydays.
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]