Richmond residents can log on to virtual Canada Day events this year as once again the in-person July 1 Salmon Festival is cancelled.
The Steveston Salmon Festival is traditionally one of the biggest Canada Day celebrations in the Lower Mainland, attracting up to 80,000 people with parades, concerts and a salmon barbecue.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the second year in a row, Richmondites are being invited to a “Canada Day at Home” event, with online programming organized by the City of Richmond and the Steveston Salmon Festival Society.
This will include livestreamed programming and online displays, starting at 10 a.m. with a digital parade.
The parade is streamable via the City of Richmond’s YouTube channel or the Steveston Salmon Festival website.
There will be a welcome message from Mayor Malcolm Brodie, “O Canada” sung by the all-female Richmond Singers choir and then the digital parade featuring virtual “floats” made by local businesses and organizations.
Residents can also take part in the “digital home parade” by featuring their Canada Day-themed displays on Instagram.
There will be three categories: a digital children’s bike parade, most patriotic pet and best decorated home/vehicle/business.
In addition, a Canada Day at Home Horticulture Show is being planned.
The horticultural Instagram competition is wide open for gardening creations made by Richmond gardeners. Judges will choose the finalists but the winners will be selected in a public poll during the first week of July.
There will be additional programming available starting July 1 on the Steveston Salmon Festival website and @FunRichmond social media channels.
This programming includes a presentation about the history of the Japanese-Canadian community in Steveston; a presentation on the history of salmon and canning in B.C. and the key role played by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery; and performances by local artists, musicians and more on a Virtual Mainstage.
To make up for the loss of a large community salmon barbecue, Richmondites can pre-order a ready-to-cook “Salmon BBQ at Home,” a dinner for four that can be barbecued at home.
Proceeds from the salmon dinner sales will go to the Steveston Salmon Festival Society.
The deadline for pre-orders is Tuesday, June 22 at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ready-to-cook-salmon-dinner-for-4-tickets-157250818431.
To learn how to participate in this year’s online programming, including the Digital Parade, go to www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca or follow @FunRichmond on social media.
