Surrey: The annual Vaisakhi Parade, taking place on April 22, 2017, will once again host a lively and celebratory event to mark the birth of the Sikh faith, is expected to draw in excess of 300,000 people to the community to celebrate and enjoy one of the most important elements of the annual event, the amazing foods of India. Each year hundreds of local business and individual families present free food offerings to the crowd in celebration of the Parade. Organizers of event, the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, along with a number of supporting agencies including Fraser Health, the Surrey RCMP, the City of Surrey (including City of Surrey Bylaws office) are reminding businesses and individuals participating in the Parade-route kiosks and stands to observe the following:

  1. Drone policy. Organizers of the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade remind attendees that drones are not permitted without a permit from Transport Canada. As the parade route is within 3 kilometres of Surrey Memorial Hospital’s emergency helipad landing site, we ask drone operators to ensure they have proper clearance.
  1. Check the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade website (surreyvaisakhiparade.com) for information on safe food handling and to download the Temporary Food Permit that must be completed prior to the event in order to serve food at the event.

NOTE: Anyone wishing to serve food must have a temporary hand washing area next to the food preparation area; wear gloves for all food preparation and serving; wash their hands prior to food preparation and service; keep hot food such as rice and sauces heated to a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius at all times; keep cold food cooled to 4 degrees Celsius or below at all times; have a sanitation solution at food preparation and serving locations; sanitize food cutting and preparation locations. For a full list of Do’s and Don’ts visit the website.

  1. Due to a potential disruption to the airspace caused by a large number of balloons being released accidentally, all participants are asked to respect an absolutely “NO HELIUM BALLOON” policy. There is a serious safety concern for air traffic due to large numbers floating into the air traffic space above the Parade route. We are asking for corporate and individual support in respecting the ‘no helium balloons’ policy on parade day.
  1. Anyone setting up a food stand at this years event are asked to ensure that all tents are NOT set up on the sidewalks alongside the route. This causes a significant public hazard.

For more information about the event including the parade route visit: www.surreyvaisakhiparade.com. To arrange an on-site interview on the day of the event, please refer to media contact below.