The 41st annual Hyack Festival is getting underway in the Royal City this weekend.
The festival, which takes place from May 18 to 27, begins on Friday night with entertainment, an official opening ceremony and fireworks at the Quay beginning at 7 p.m.
"It's a comprehensive nine-day festival," said Douglas Smith, Hyack's execu-tive director.
The opening night's festivities are just the beginning of nine days of family fun.
New Westminster's DiverseCity Multicultural Festival, which is being produced by the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association in partnership with the Hyack Festival Association, will take place along the Westminster Quay boardwalk on Saturday, May 19 from 12 to 6 p.m.
The Victoria Day long weekend features the 28th annual Hyack Antique Fair on Sunday and Monday in Queen's Park Arenex. A longstanding Royal City tradition, the Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery salute, will take place on Monday, May 21 at 11: 30 a.m. in Queen's Park Stadium.
May Day, the longest running celebration of its type in the British Commonwealth, will take place in Queen's Park on Wednesday, May 23. That's the day the city will crown its 142nd May Queen.
The Hyack International Parade will once again take to city streets on Saturday, May 26. More than 130 entries from around the Pacific Northwest will entertain the crowds with their floats, marching bands, clowns and more.
A new addition to this year's Hyack Festival lineup is Uptown Live, which features live music on multiple stages, interactive street activities and more. It will be taking place on Saturday, May 26, following the conclusion of the parade, in the uptown business district.
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