Steveston Salmon Festival marks 78th anniversary on Canada Day

The Steveston Salmon Festival is back for its 78th year with a range of family-friendly activities.

Celebrated each year on July 1, Steveston comes alive with bustling crowds and festive displays for Canada Day. The day-long event includes multiple stage areas, each with different sets of musical and cultural performances and entertainment to mark “Canada’s biggest little birthday party.”

“Community is our number one source,” says Mary Ann Pizzinato, coordinator of the Steveston Salmon Festival.

“We really try to bring any of our local restaurants and food trucks to make sure they are part of the 28 food vendors we will be having that day. [It’s] the same thing for music — majority of the groups are Richmond residents, so we really look for that before anything.”

Visitors can expect a wide variety of food options to satisfy their food cravings.

Besides the festival’s iconic wood-fired salmon bake, food trucks participating in the event include BeaverTails, Cazba Persian Grill, Ponchos Tacos, and Wakwak Burger, among others.

Pancakes will also be served at the Steveston Community Centre parking lot from 8:00 to 11:00 am and the payment is by donation, with a minimum of a $5 contribution. Chow mein will also be served at the west side of the community centre parking lot for $9 before tax.

Visitors can also check out the event’s marketplace to explore local goods and services and to connect residents in the neighbourhood. The booths include Nakota Design, Would You Boutique, Priority Candles, Nando’s PERi-PERi Chicken, Ocean Ambassadors Canada, and more.

The festival will have entertainment all throughout the village. The main stage zone, called the Spirit of Steveston, will run from noon to 7:30 pm. It will start the day with welcoming speeches from Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, festival directors, and others. Chris Dinnell, who is a local resident, will be the emcee of this year’s festival.

The other stages along the festival will run from noon to 5:00 pm, all with various performances ranging from singing, dancing, and artistic and cultural performances.

The Salmon Run Youth Zone, a new addition this year, is a fun area with a “circus atmosphere” provided for children to play around and have fun. There will be a youth concession area and entertainment as well.

The must-see and much-awaited Steveston Parade will have members of the community walking along the village starting from Garry Point Park and ending at Railway Avenue. Starting at 10:00 am, the parade will showcase floats and classic vehicles. There will also be a kids’ bike parade starting at 9:30 am at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery parking lot.

“We just want everyone to have a fun and safe day here in our community and appreciate everything that not only Steveston gives you but also in Richmond and B.C. in general,” Pizzinato says. “Wave our Canada flags because this is Canada Day and this is a time to really show that you are proud Canadians.”

This event is a product of collaboration between the festival team, the city, and community sponsors, with there being over 400 volunteers who help put this event together, Pizzinato adds.

More than 75,000 people are expected throughout the day. Road closures will be in effect and parking will be limited. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the free transportation which will shuttle back and forth along two separate routes.

For more information, visit www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca.