The 102nd annual May Day parade and events take place in Fort Langley next Monday, May 20.
Like every year, the day will start at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Fort Langley Lions Club. Breakfast is $8 each – cash only – and being served up at the Lions hall, 23022 88th Ave.
The always popular parade starts at 11 a.m., leaving the Fort Langley National Historic Site and travelling west along Mavis Avenue to Glover Road. Once on Glover, the floats will go south to 88th Avenue and follow it west to turn on Trattle Street. The parade ends at Fort Langley Community Park around 12:30 p.m.
The 90-minute parade will feature Langley scouts, local politicians, bands, local charities, businesses, and vintage cars from various car clubs.
Albert Anderson, the “Al” in the Aldor Acres farm he founded in Langley with his wife Dorothy, estimated he’s taken part in “probably 50” of the annual parades over the years.
His granddaughter, Katie Brownlee, estimates the farm has had a float in about 20 of the May Day parades.
Fred Pepin, president of the Langley Heritage Society, will drive a late 1950s Fordson Major tractor, which he donated to the BC Farm Museum, in this year’s parade.
Once in the park, the May Queen and Royal Party will be piped in. As in tradition, the May Day pole dance performed by local elementary students will follow.
From noon until 4 p.m. at the park, there will be live entertainment from local singers including Elvis tribute artist Steve Elliott and the Matlen Starsley Band, dunk tank, rides for kids, the Lion’s popular barbecue chicken, 13 food trucks, and various vendors.
New interactive activities this year include swordplay lessons, a small BMX bike track, and rowing lessons by Fort Langley Youth Rowing Society.
All funds raised go towards scholarships for Walnut Grove Secondary, Langley Fine Arts, and D.W. Poppy Secondary schools, said club secretary Wendy Canessa.
“As this is an all volunteer project, we greatly appreciate all of the support from our sponsors and volunteers,” she said.
This free community event was established in 1922 in Fort Langley.
For details on the event, people can visit maydayfortlangley.com.
May Day has European origins marking the beginning of summer with traditions including weaving floral garlands, crowing a May Queen, May Day pole dancing, and other festivities. In Canada, it’s celebrated in B.C., Quebec, New Brunswick, and Ontario, but other countries also partake in their own versions of the festival.
SEE ALSO: VIDEO: May Day parade draws thousands to Fort Langley