STEVESTON SALMON FESTIVAL

After a reimagined festival last year, and two years of virtual festivals in 2020 and 2021, the Steveston Salmon Festival’s organizing committee is thrilled to announce that the community’s much-loved Canada Day celebration is back.

The festival began over 76 years ago to raise funds for the community centre to build a new playground. Originally conceived as the Salmon Queen Carnival for the 1946 July 1st Sports Day, it was an opportunity for the canneries and other Steveston businesses to sponsor a candidate known as the “Salmon Queen.” In 1978, the Salmon Queen Carnival was officially renamed the Steveston Salmon Festival, and the last queen was crowned in 1986.

Al Sakai, president of the Steveston Community Society, has been the festival’s chairperson for three years and is excited to see the return of a full-scale celebration.

This year, the event is all about community.

Mary Ann Pizzinato, the festival’s new coordinator, emceed the parade in 2019; she is thrilled that the parade is returning, as the community greatly missed it. Urey Chan is this year’s parade director, and he promises there will be community floats aplenty.

The kids’ bike parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is not required, just show up before 9:15 a.m. with your decorated bikes, wagons, scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades, and be prepared to have fun. Helmets are mandatory, and a responsible adult must accompany all children.

The Canada Day parade begins at 10:00 a.m. Round up your red and white clothing, grab your Canadian flag and get ready to wave it high and proud. Watch for everyone’s favourite Steveston mascot, Sammy the Salmon, who measures a whopping 7’2” tall; he will be aboard the Steveston Community Society’s float.

Pass the syrup, please! The Pancake Breakfast is hosted by The Rotary Club; breakfast is served hot off the griddle between 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the community centre’s parking lot. The Rotary Club proudly serves early risers and Salmon Festival volunteers.

Another crowd-pleasing tradition is returning; Canfisco will be grilling salmon over the open fire pit. Although the BBQ at home kit was a creative and popular solution during the pandemic, the in-person barbecue is a huge part of this special day.

Fun fact: Before the pandemic, over 3,000 plates of salmon were sold each year.

People will be excited to learn the chow mein booth is also returning. The west side of the parking lot will come alive with dining options hosted by various community organizations.

Note: If you haven’t driven by the community centre lately, the east side of the parking lot is now under construction for the new community centre.

Across the street, the Easthope Avenue parking lot will be home to the Spirit of Steveston zone with entertainment and an adult beverage area. Food trucks will be located along Easthope, and the local restaurants will offer diverse dining options.

The main stage will be in the community centre parking lot. Local bands and community performers can be enjoyed at stages throughout the village, including the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Britannia Shipyards and along the boardwalk.

The Kids’ Fun Zone will offer a bouncing good time with inflatables, entertainment, and other activities.

Other festival highlights include the Japanese Cultural Show, Horticultural Show, the Youth Zone, martial arts demonstrations, and the trade show and marketplace in the Net Shed.

The Steveston Community Society is also organizing an art show for festival visitors to admire and purchase works by local artists.

Mary Ann comments, “We are delighted to host the 76th Steveston Salmon Festival and once again shine the spotlight on our historic village. In previous years, as many as 80,000 people have spent the day in Steveston celebrating Canada’s birthday. This is an exciting time for Steveston; people are thrilled to gather and celebrate together finally.”

www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca

By Sarah Gordon. June 2023. Photos by Sandra Steier.