The Steveston Salmon Festival, which was supposed to take place on Canada Day, has been cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This would have been the 75th year the event took place but the board of directors of the Steveston Community Society made a unanimous decision to cancel the festival, something the president, Alan Sakai, said wasn’t easy to do.

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“There are hundreds of volunteers, artists, vendors and support staff required to host this event that has been attended by up to 80,000 visitors in recent years,” he said. “In light of the current COVID-19 protocols put in place by BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, cancelling this year’s event was determined to be the most responsible decision to make at this time.”

So far this year, the Cherry Blossom Festival has been cancelled and the city is reviewing and reconsidering other events as well, for example, World Festival and the Maritime Festival.

Steveston Salmon Festival has evolved into one of the largest Canada Day celebrations in the country, and it’s the signature event of the Steveston Community Society, a volunteer-led association that provides cultural, social and recreational opportunities for the community.

The society is looking at ways to celebrate Canada Day in alternative ways given the pandemic.

Additional information about the Steveston Salmon Festival can be found at www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca.

Information about the City of Richmond’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at www.richmond.ca/covid19.