Celebrate big time at 69th Salmon Festival - ONLINE GUIDE

The country’s biggest little party to celebrate Canada Day is just days away and the preparations for the 69th annual Steveston Salmon Festival are in full swing.

On July 1 about 70,000 or so — many of them clad in red and white and waving the Maple Leaf — will descend on the historic fishing village for an event that has few rivals for its grass roots nature and ability to bring together the community to not only wish Canada a happy birthday, but rejoice in ways that are uniquely Steveston.

Whether it’s the parade filled with floats, pirates and marching bands, or patiently waiting in the lineup for chow mein and a freshly barbecued salmon lunch, Canada Day in Steveston is an event for the senses and the heart.

And at the eye of the storm of organizing its multitude of facets is Janice Froese, the festival’s executive director.

It’s her task to help coordinate the 400 to 500 volunteers who help things run on the one-day event — from early morning set up to take down after the event concludes.

“We start planning in the fall and really get going in January,” said Froese. “There’s an awful lot that goes into the festival, and it all comes together because of a great group of volunteers, some of whom go back 40 years with their involvement.

“That level of commitment, it’s just what people here do,” Froese added. “That’s typical Steveston in a nutshell.”

The fact the festival has been so popular for close to seven decades rests with its place in the community.

“It’s a community event that has never tried to be anything more than it is,” Froese said. “At its root it’s a pure celebration of the spirit of Steveston.”

And that draws on the heritage of a place renowned for not only its connection with the salmon fishery, but the melange of ethnic groups — from fishers to salmon cannery workers. — who built it to become known worldwide as a rich resource.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ MORE ABOUT THE 2014 STEVESTON SALMON FESTIVAL

GROUNDS MAP

Steveston Salmon Festival grounds map

PARADE MAP AND PARKING - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Moncton Street between Bayview Street is closed all day to traffic, as are No. 1 Road and First, Second and Third avenues south of Chatham Street to Bayview. During the parade both Chatham and Bayview are closed (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.).

Parking is limited in Steveston during the festival. A free shuttle runs between the works yard at 5599 Lynas Lane (free parking) and Steveston's Britannia Shipyards from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

There are parking lots on Chatham Street and in the north field of Steveston Park ($5, proceeds to the Steveston Judo Club)

Buses 402, 410 and 407 and C93 can bring you to the Steveston vicinity.

Salmon Festival Parade route:

parade map