May Days Festival Brings Community Together Across Port Coquitlam For Another Year Of Celebration

The 103rd May Days Festival brought another full day of community celebration to Port Coquitlam as families, local organizations, performers, businesses, and visitors gathered across the city for one of the community’s longest-running traditions.

Poco Kids Bike Race Starts The Day In Port Coquitlam

The May Days celebrations began early in the morning as preparations got underway for the Poco Kids Bike Race. Even before the first event of the day officially began, the atmosphere across Port Coquitlam already felt busy and energetic, with people gathering along the streets, coffee shops and bakeries seeing steady morning crowds, and families making their way toward the parade route and community activities.

Volunteers, police officers, and families gather before the start of the Poco Kids Bike Race in Port Coquitlam.

For many families, the Poco Kids Bike Race became one of the most memorable parts of the day. Children lined up at the starting area with excitement while parents stood nearby, cheering them on. During the younger age groups, many parents could be seen running alongside the children to help keep them steady and make sure they were okay as they made their way through the course.

The race brought a strong sense of community spirit to the streets of Port Coquitlam. Families lined the sidewalks, applauding the young riders while conversations, laughter, and cheering filled the area. The supportive atmosphere made the event feel less like a competition and more like a shared community tradition between generations.

Children line up for the Poco Kids Bike Race as families gather along the streets during the 103rd May Days Festival in Port Coquitlam.

The May Days Parade Brings Energy Across Port Coquitlam

As the day continued, crowds gathered throughout Port Coquitlam for the May Days Parade, which once again became one of the biggest highlights of the festival. Sidewalks quickly filled with residents and visitors watching from chairs, blankets, and storefronts as parade entries moved through the city.

The opening pipe band immediately brought energy to the streets while local organizations, community clubs, businesses, first responders, and performers followed behind throughout the parade route. Music could constantly be heard throughout the event as people reacted to floats, waved to participants, and enjoyed the celebration together.

A colorful community float moves through the streets during the May Days Parade in Port Coquitlam.

Two local dance schools especially stood out during the parade, bringing strong energy, music, and performances that captured the attention of crowds along the sidewalks. The performances added even more excitement to an already lively atmosphere.

Local organizations and community groups also played an important role throughout the parade, highlighting the community connections that continue to make May Days one of Port Coquitlam’s most recognized annual celebrations.

The Port Coquitlam Heritage group participates in the May Days Parade, celebrating local history and community traditions.

A salmon-themed float representing the Hyde Creek Watershed Society during the May Days Parade in Port Coquitlam.

Local businesses also joined the celebration, adding to the strong community atmosphere throughout the city as parade entries continued moving through packed sections of Port Coquitlam.

Local businesses joined the May Days Parade, bringing community spirit to the streets of Port Coquitlam.

Carnival Rides, Food Vendors, And Activities Continue The Celebration

The weather also helped shape the atmosphere throughout the day. While the morning began overcast, sunshine gradually arrived and stayed for most of the celebrations, helping bring even more people outdoors. A light breeze and sunny skies added to the positive atmosphere as crowds moved between the parade, food vendors, carnival rides, and performances taking place across Port Coquitlam.

Compared to a typical day, Port Coquitlam felt transformed during May Days. Streets were busier, businesses were active, and conversations about past celebrations could be heard throughout the community as longtime residents reflected on how the festival has evolved over the years.

Once the parade ended, many attendees continued toward the Port Coquitlam Community Centre and Terry Fox Hometown Square where the rest of the festival activities continued throughout the afternoon. The transition between events felt seamless, with families simply walking a few blocks to continue enjoying the celebrations.

The carnival area quickly became one of the busiest sections of the festival. Rides, trampolines, bouncy castles, climbing walls, food vendors, and community booths kept families entertained throughout the day while children filled the area with excitement and energy.

Families gather around carnival rides and activities near the Port Coquitlam Community Centre during May Days Festival.

Food vendors remained busy with long lines as people explored the different offerings available during the event. Some vendors were local businesses while others traveled from outside the community, creating a busy festival atmosphere across the area.

Children and families enjoy carnival rides during the May Days celebrations in Port Coquitlam.

Beyond the rides and food vendors, families also gathered around community activity areas where children could participate in hands-on activities throughout the afternoon.

Children participate in creative activities during the May Days celebrations in Port Coquitlam.

Live Music And Community Gatherings At Terry Fox Hometown Square

Live music and performances at Terry Fox Hometown Square continued bringing people together later into the day as residents relaxed on lawn chairs and blankets while enjoying the festival atmosphere.

Residents gather at Terry Fox Hometown Square to enjoy live music and performances during the May Days Festival in Port Coquitlam.

Throughout the festival, community spirit remained one of the strongest themes of the day. Families, volunteers, local organizations, businesses, performers, and first responders all played a role in helping May Days continue as one of Port Coquitlam’s most recognized annual traditions.

Community interactions could be seen throughout the celebrations, including moments where local first responders connected with children and families attending the event.

A Port Coquitlam firefighter speaks with a child during community activities at the May Days Festival.

May Days Continues A Longstanding Port Coquitlam Tradition

Even after 103 years, the event continues to bring together both longtime residents and newer members of the community in a way that still feels uniquely local. While May Days carries the energy and scale of a major city festival, it still maintains the feeling of a small-town community celebration where neighbours gather, families reconnect, and new memories are created each year.

With free shuttle services, free bike parking, live entertainment, family activities, carnival rides, food vendors, and celebrations spread across multiple areas of Port Coquitlam, this year’s May Days Festival once again showed why the tradition continues to remain such an important part of the community.