Steveston Salmon Festival

Reimagined Festival with Fun and Safety in Mind

It has been a Steveston tradition for 75 years and although the pandemic has temporarily altered the event as we know it, the Steveston Salmon Festival is going on in a reimagined format with a focus on family, fun and fitness. The festival will take place on July 1, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year the traditional parade will be replaced by festival zones stretching from Garry Point Park to Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. Put on your comfy shoes, dress in your Canada Day red and white and walk, cycle, wheelchair, or scooter to visit the different sites where you will find live music, exhibitions, and more. Steveston merchants will also be participating so be sure to visit their businesses.

The Steveston Salmon Festival dates back to July 1, 1946. It was originally called the Salmon Queen Carnival and was an opportunity for the canneries and other Steveston businesses to sponsor a candidate to be known as the Salmon Queen. In 1978, the Salmon Queen Carnival was officially renamed the Steveston Salmon Festival, and the last Salmon Queen was crowned in 1986.

Dolly Hopkins has joined the festival this year as artistic director. Dolly has plenty of experience organizing large scale events in Richmond; she’s been the Richmond Maritime Festival’s creative director for the last 11 years.

The 75th Steveston Salmon Festival has been reimagined to allow people to enjoy the day without gathering in large groups.

The festival was held virtually for the last two years. The Steveston Community Society, led by President Al Sakai, is working closely with the City of Richmond and a team of hard-working volunteers to make the return of the in-person event a smooth-running operation that meets COVID-19 safety plans.

“By spreading the events over a 2.5-kilometre radius around Steveston and over a six-hour time span, people will have the ability to pick and choose what areas they would like to visit,” Dolly says.

Leading up to Canada’s birthday, the Pacific Rim Kite Festival (June 25-26) will kick things off and get people in the celebratory spirit.

There will be plenty to see in the sky and on the ground during this event where the British Columbia Kitefliers Association will fly traditional, single, and multi-line kites. Video popups are also planned where kite flyers and visitors can share stories about Steveston and memories of past Salmon Festivals.

Encore! Last year the wildly popular “Take and Bake Salmon” ready to barbeque salmon with sides from Save-On-Foods sold out quickly. It is a sure-fire way to simplify your Canada Day backyard barbecue while supporting the Steveston Community Society. Pre-orders began on May 16, and order pick-ups take place on June 30 at the Steveston Community Centre.

While some of the festival’s offerings have changed, many mainstays have remained. For example, Sammy’s Fun Zone will return to Steveston Park. There will be plenty of family-friendly and fun activities for children to participate in although bouncy castles will not be present this year.

The always popular community stage will be situated in the parking lot across from the community centre with a variety of entertainment scheduled throughout the day.

The Steveston Rotary Club will be returning to the community centre parking lot and offering up their traditional Pancake Breakfast.

Traditional activities will also be featured at this 75th Anniversary celebration including the Horticulture Show and the Japanese Cultural Show.

Calling all car buffs – the popular Car Show returns with custom cars, classic cars, hot rods, and uniquely decorated cars. Doug Harder works tirelessly every year to organize this event. Plans are in the works to have 75 cars on site to celebrate the festival’s 75th year. A stage will feature entertainment with acts to be confirmed. Cars will be displayed on the east lawn adjacent to the baseball diamond.

Festival visitors will certainly work up an appetite as they visit assorted zones. Food trucks will be located on the perimeter of the village, and people are encouraged to visit the village’s wide range of restaurants that will be selling food at their establishments.

As a bonus, Al Sakai has been working with Richmond elementary and secondary school students to display their art at the returning Art Show.

Speaking on behalf of the entire festival team, Dolly says, “People are excited to have the opportunity to get out and socialize in the community again. We invite the community to come out and discover.”

More details to come on the festival’s website: www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca