New Westminster will be buzzing with activity this weekend with the popular Hyack International Parade and a new event highlighting the city’s proud May Day tradition taking centre stage. Here are the Record’s top picks for the May 22 to 24 weekend.
1. Enjoy a New Westminster tradition when the Hyack International Parade returns to the streets of New West on Saturday, May 23. The Vancouver Police Department’s motorcycle drill team kicks off the action at 10:30 a.m., and the floats, marching bands, mascots and other entries start their procession at 11 a.m. The parade travels down Sixth Street (starting at Eighth Avenue) and proceeds along Queens Avenue, ending at Queen’s Park.
2. Take in some post-parade fun at the Uptown Street Fair on Saturday, May 23 from noon to 5 p.m. You’ll find food, vendors and kids activities on Belmont Street (just off of Sixth Street).
3. Celebrate Royal City traditions at the first New Westminster May Day Community Heritage Picnic on Sunday, May 24. Residents of all ages are invited to embrace the city’s 145-year history of May Days current and past, pack a picnic lunch and mingle with fellow Royal City residents. The picnic, which is taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Royal Westminster Regiment’s armoury, includes performances by the 2014 and 2015 May Queen Suites and Royal Lancers, who will dance the “quadrille” dances, and the Royal Knight Honour Guard, who will share some May Day trivia. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their tickets for admission to the armoury because it has a limited capacity.
4. Check out the retrospective works of New Westminster native Joseph Plaskett at the Plaskett Gallery at Massey Theatre. As part of the theatre’s 65th anniversary, it’s holding a retrospective of works created by Plaskett (after whom the theatre’s art gallery was named) from 1943 to 1958. The show runs until June 30. The Plaskett Gallery (located at 735 Eighth Ave.) is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., as well as during performances in Massey Theatre.
5. Tap your toes at the Go Into Your Dance show at Massey Theatre on Sunday, May 24 at 7 p.m. The West Coast Tap Dance collective is presenting the show, which is honouring Canadian dance legend Ruby Keller. Tickets are $19 for members and $25 for non-members and available at ticketsnewwest.ca.
6. Go to Moody Park and watch some Little Leaguers in action in the Hyack Tournament. You can drop by the diamonds at Moody Park and watch the baseball action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Who knows? You might just see the next Justin Morneau in action.
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