Canada Day celebrations held in cars at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition

VANCOUVER – Organizers at the Pacific National Exhibition hosted a live parade on Canada Day, but with a twist.

Spokeswoman Laura Ballance says it was a “reverse parade” where people stayed in their cars and the route was stationary.

She says people were treated to classic celebrations including a hockey game, dancers in Canadian-themed costumes, large oversized puppets and a logging show, while snacking on popular fair food such as poutine, candy floss and hot dogs.

The sold out event saw about 4,000 cars where people were charged $10 per car regardless of the number of people in them.

She says people stayed in their cars and watched the participants, who followed physical distancing protocols.

Ballance says the event also provided much-needed income to performers and concessionaires who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2020.