If you’re planning to head downtown Victoria on Sunday, April 27th, be ready for some extra crowds — and traffic delays — as two major events take over the streets.
Both the annual Times Colonist 10K and the Khalsa Day Parade are happening tomorrow, and VicPD is giving everyone a heads-up about road closures, parking restrictions, and even the use of temporary CCTV cameras and drones to help keep things safe and organized.
Times Colonist 10K
This year’s TC10K features a brand new route, passing through James Bay, Cook Street Village, and Fairfield before heading back along Dallas Road. It’ll no longer weave through the downtown core, but you’ll still want to watch out for major closures in the area.
Road closures begin as early as noon today (Saturday, April 26th) with Belleville Street between Government and Menzies Streets shutting down for race set-up. Menzies Street from Quebec to Belleville will also close at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26th. These closures will stick around until Sunday afternoon.
On race day, additional closures around Belleville Street and Menzies Street will kick in from 4 a.m. until around 1 p.m. Sunday. Roads along the wider race route will close starting around 7:30 a.m. and are expected to reopen by noon.
Parking will also be temporarily suspended in some areas along the route, so be sure to check signage if you’re planning to park nearby.
Khalsa Day Parade
The Khalsa Day Parade is also back this Sunday in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood, bringing vibrant performances and a big celebration.
Hosted by Gurdwara Singh Sabha Victoria, Khalsa Day festivities will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th, and include a Nagar Kirtan (Sikh procession).
Vaisakhi marks the birth of the Khalsa, or Sikh Nation, in 1699, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm around the world.
In the spirit of the day, the Gurdwara will prepare meals for 500 people to be delivered to Our Place Society and will also make donations to local charities. Attendees can enjoy a free meal at the gurdwara’s kitchen at 470 Cecelia Road. Everyone is welcome.
The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and will wind its way from Cecelia Road to Burnside Road, moving down Alpha Street, Douglas Street, Finlayson Street, and Jutland Road before looping back to Cecelia. There’s a planned 20-minute stop on Finlayson Street between Douglas and Burnside for performances, so expect extra congestion in the area.
The parade wraps up around 1:30 p.m., but celebrations will continue into the afternoon at Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Cecelia Road.
Whether you’re taking part in the festivities or just trying to get around town — give yourself some extra time, plan your route ahead, and expect a lively Sunday in Victoria!
