Hyack Festival’s 2020 president recently welcomed the mayor and more than 100 guests to the annual president’s tea.
Penny McIvor, who was recently installed as the Hyack Festival Association’s 49th president, introduced Hyack’s 2020 theme, Jewels of the Royal City, at the tea. It was held on Jan. 26 at Dunwood Place seniors residence.
Scholarships of more than $7,000 for members of the 2020 Hyack Ambassador Leadership Team will be announced at the Evening of Stars awards gala April 18 at Douglas College.
In other Hyack news, a new leader is taking the helm of the New Westminster Hyack Festival Association.
Vincent Chik, former executive director of the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Association, has been appointed as the association’s new executive director. Hyack president Lili De Capite said Chik brings a wealth of talent and experience working in a variety of roles in the non-profit sector to the Hyack Festival Association.
“It’s an energetic time at Hyack right now,” De Capite said in a press release. “We are ecstatic to have Vincent’s tremendous capability and vision not only for Hyack, but also the entire community of New Westminster, as we bring our mission forward at the start of this new decade.”
According to the press release, Chik is an entrepreneurial leader with extensive experience in administration, non-profit and community programs. In addition to organizing the Chinatown Festival and Chinese New Year Spring Festival Parade in Vancouver, he has also worked with other non-profit organizations including Meals on Wheels.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to connect with the neighbourhood, city staff and community partners to bring more energy and events to New Westminster,” Chik said in the press release.
In addition to hosting the Hyack International Parade in New Westminster each May, Hyack representatives accompany the city’s float to festivals in B.C. and the Pacific Northwest, including the Seattle Seafair Parade, the Leavenworth Parade, the White Rock Parade and the Penticton Peach Festival Parade. It also oversees the New Westminster Hyack Ambassadors program, with Miss New Westminster and other ambassadors representing the city at events throughout the year.
