Some 150,000 people are expected to throng the streets around Surrey’s Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar this Saturday to celebrate Khalsa Day, organizers estimate.
“This is likely to be one of the largest ever parades and festival,” said Babar Singh Tumber, who will be manning one of the about 1,000 stalls along 128th Street, which will be doling out everything from free popcorn to Indian sweetmeats.
For the last few weeks Tumber and fellow Sikhs have been busily preparing for the Nagar Kirtan as the annual Vaisakhi parade is known, building floats and organizing details for an event that is expected to attract visitors from Alberta, Washington State and across British Columbia.
Harbinder Singh Sewak, publisher of the South Asian Post, which will also have a booth along the parade said he expects the Surrey parade to dwarf the one held in Vancouver last week.
The Vancouver parade, last Saturday drew an estimated crowd of about 40,000 to 50,000 people.
“This Khalsa Day fest will be a fantastic celebration,”’ said Sewak who will be handing out 10,000 bags of specially made HevyD’s Kettle Korn along with a special edition of The Province to commemorate Khalsa Day 2010.
The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade is the largest known parade outside of India, with event officials estimating attendance annual growth of 15% over the last few years.
Among those preparing to join the parade are the organizers of the Cloverdale Rodeo, which plans to have a special South Asian theme this year at its event next month.
They are joining other Canadian companies like RBC Royal Bank, Nando’s, Certified Management Accountants, TD Canada Trust, and many others which annually reach out to the South Asian community at the Vaisakhi festivities in Surrey to celebrate Sikhism’s holy day.
The Surrey Khalsa Day parade to celebrate Vaisakhi is the largest outside India as millions of Sikhs world-wide celebrate the birth of the Sikh identity. 
In 1699, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, formed the order of the Khalsa (The Pure) and thus forming the present Sikh identity. 
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji filled the Khalsa with love for humanity and strenghth to protect the innocent. This would lay a foundation that would see the Sikhs prosper in different parts of the globe, where they have contributed significantly to the social and economic structure of their adopted homelands.  The “Vaisakhi Celebration in Surrey celebrates more than just the birth of the Sikh identity,” said a Surrey City official.
“Gathering crowds of thousands, the Vaisakhi parade symbolizes diversity and multiculturalism,” she said.
The official advised there will be road closures, traffic disruptions, restricted access and temporary parking restrictions to facilitate parade activities. 
Traffic controls will be in place beginning at 7:30am until approximately 5:00pm.  Access to 128th Street will be impacted most significantly.  Increased delays may be expected for travel through and within the area between 72 Ave to 88 Ave, and 124th Street to King George Hwy
Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, said Vaisakhi
is a special time to celebrate our future and our togetherness said.
“While we all look back over historic teachings, we also look forward to the hope and promise that Canada provides all of us. Vaisakhi is also a time of tolerance, respect and honour.
“Like Easter and Passover, it is a time of rejoicing and reflection, a time to observe the past while celebrating harmony and peace.”
“These festivals bring together everyone,” said Hayer.

Khalsa Day parade
Time:
10:00am-3:30pm
Date:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Location:
Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple
12885 85th Avenue