The Hyack Festival Association recently celebrated more than 160 volunteers at its annual volunteer appreciation barbecue at Queen’s Park.
The volunteers helped out at a variety of events during Hyack Festival Week (May 20 to 26), including the Hyack International Parade, the Uptown Street Festival, May Day Heritage Picnic, a rose-planting ceremony, the cannon salute that the Seymour Artillery does for the Hyack Festival at city hall on parade day, and other events. New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian presented certificates of appreciation to the Hyack Festival Association and volunteers at the barbecue.
“I’d just like to thank you profoundly for everything. You make such a difference in our community. The festival and all the work that you do really changes the quality of life in New Westminster,” Julian said at the event, according to a Hyack press release. “Don’t underestimate the impact and the work that (each of) you do. It makes New Westminster a very special place to live in, so thank you on behalf of the Parliament of Canada.”
Lili De Capite, the Hyack Festival Association’s 2019 president, also presented certificates to the volunteers in attendance as part of her Shining Bright recognition program.
“The Hyack Festival Association is a volunteer-run organization. Without our hard-working volunteers, there would be no events, no community-building and no fun,” said Hyack’s executive director Brunella Battista. “We would like to express our appreciation for each and every one of you.”
