Canada Day parade in North Vancouver is back with a new twist
Written By: Liz Mendes
Source: North Shore News
A group of volunteers is throwing a ‘stationary parade’ at Civic Plaza July 1, aiming to harness the excitement into one location.
If you can’t bring the parade to the people, at least you can bring the people to the parade.
Yes, it’s time to warm up your bagpipes and get your batons twirling, as the Canada Day parade is coming back to North Vancouver. Sort of.
Following a six-year absence, the beloved tradition is coming back to the Central Lonsdale area, with a twist. A group of volunteer organizers were hoping to bring a full-fledged parade back this year, but due a variety of reasons, including stretched police resources due to the FIFA World Cup, they’ll be hosting a “stationary” parade at Civic Plaza.
Presented by the volunteer-run Celebrate North Vancouver Society with support from the City of North Vancouver, the event will transform the plaza into a Canadian cultural community celebration that includes bands, dancers, a vintage car show, face painting, family activities and more.
Many of the organizers involved in reviving the event previously participated in North Vancouver’s Canada Day parades with floats, vintage cars, and community groups, said Jeremy Cato, chair of the Celebrate North Vancouver Society. The volunteers were determined to not let the tradition disappear permanently after the pandemic.
“A lot of our volunteers absolutely adore the parade,” said Cato. “They were in it, they had the floats, they drove their old cars, their old fire engines and they really wanted to keep the momentum going this year.”
Reviving this celebration was no easy task. The Celebrate North Vancouver Society started organizing the event in 2025.
“We really wanted to make a statement about what regular folks can do when they work together,” Cato said.
They’re aiming to throw a wholesome and lively celebration with a mix of live entertainment, community activities and family attractions that will captivate everyone passing by.
“There’s lots to see and do there and it’s all in a pretty tight space, so it’s going to be pretty exciting” said Cato.
Organizers are hoping this year’s stationary parade is the first step in restoring a full Canada Day Parade along Lonsdale Avenue in 2027.
The parade and festivities will happen July 1 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m at Civic Plaza, 126 14th Street West, North Vancouver.
Learn more about the the event here.
