Steveston Salmon Festival Sets Sights on Celebrating Canada Day 2015

News Release

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay announces support for the Steveston Salmon Festival

June 19, 2015 – Richmond, British Columbia – Department of Canadian Heritage

The 70^th annual Steveston Salmon Festival kicks off on July 1, 2015, with fun-filled events for the whole family. Thanks to funding of $21,000 provided through the Celebrate Canada program, the Richmond Agricultural and Industrial Society will present the Steveston Salmon Festival, which features a range of activities including cultural displays, an art show, a craft fair, a Canada Day parade, musical performances and a citizenship ceremony.

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament (Delta–Richmond East), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

Each year, the Steveston Salmon Festival attracts more than 70,000 Canada Day festival-goers and relies on the support of close to 400 volunteers to organize, plan and deliver the Festival.
The Steveston Salmon Festival held its inaugural event on July 1, 1945, and has since grown into one of the largest non-profit Canada Day celebrations in the country.
Steveston, a village located within the larger city of Richmond, is home to two National Historic Sites of Canada: the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Britannia Shipyard.
Through the Celebrate Canada program, Canadian Heritage provides financial support for activities organized on special days during the Celebrate Canada period from June 21 to July 1. This period includes National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and Canada Day on July 1.

Quotes

“As we journey towards 150 years of nationhood, we should naturally take stock of who we are, what we have achieved and what we aspire to be. Our Government is proud to support local Canada Day festivities throughout the country. Gatherings like the Steveston Salmon Festival foster a sense of pride and connection to our great country, giving us the opportunity to celebrate together and build a deeper understanding of Canada and its people, and what it means to be Canadian.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“Each year, residents and visitors from across Metro Vancouver come to celebrate Canada Day in the historic village of Steveston—a living testament to the important history of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry. I’m looking forward to all that’s in store at this year’s Steveston Salmon Festival and its Canada Day celebrations.”

—The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minster of National Revenue and Member of Parliament (Delta–Richmond East)

“The 70^th annual Steveston Salmon Festival has been celebrating our local heritage and national pride every July 1 since 1945. ‘Canada’s biggest little birthday party’ is grateful for the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, which enables us to program a variety of activities throughout the day, including a festive parade.”

—Alan Clark, President, Richmond Agricultural and Industrial Society