The beloved Steveston Salmon Festival parade is returning this year, and plans are in full swing for Richmondites to showcase their community spirit.
One of the returning attractions is the Richmond Special Olympics float, which has been participating in the parade since 2015.
“I’m glad we have the parade back, and the athletes are happy, everybody’s happy. I’m happy too,” said Vincent Li, Richmond Special Olympics athlete and spokesperson.
Li, who kickstarted this tradition eight years ago, said community members can look forward to seeing a vehicle decorated in purple and white streamers atop a tow truck for this year’s festivities.
The float, true to this year’s festival theme of “It’s about community,” will feature local Special Olympics athletes showing off their skills along the float, which will be covered with photos of the athletes.
The Richmond athletes will also be joined by their Delta counterparts, who welcomed Richmond athletes to their parade during Ladner May Days earlier this year.
“It was really great, amazing, and it was a great turnout. So we want them to come out and experience the same parade as well,” said Li, who added the May Days Parade was very inclusive.
Li told the News that preparation for the floats usually begins a month before the Canada Day festivities.
Athletes and coaches collaborate on the design and come together the day before the parade to decorate the float.
The Richmond Special Olympics float is one of more than 70 vehicles participating in this year’s parade, according to Urey Chan, Steveston Salmon Festival parade coordinator.
Some are decorated as floats while others are towing additional floats. The organizing committee is also expecting last-minute entries.
