Parade goers will share in a historic moment during the annual Hyack Festival International Parade this Saturday as the Royal Westminster regiment takes up its bayonets and drums to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the granting of Freedom of the City.
In 1963, during the 100th anniversary of the regiment, the military unit was recognized for its years of service with a special honour, the Freedom of the City.
According to a regiment press release, this honour allows the Royal regiment to march through the city in full-military grandeur as an "affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry."
"We are delighted parade spectators will have the opportunity to experience the rare privilege of viewing the regimental colours, which have not been paraded through the streets of the city since our 125th anniversary in 1988. This is truly a historic occasion, not only for all Westies, but also the thousands of spectators along the parade route," Col. Karen Baker-MacGrotty said in the release. "This year is extremely special for the regiment and our community as together we commemorate these significant milestones and honour the valiant contributions of members of the Royal Westminster Regiment to Canada."
The Royal Westminster regiment has been active in New Westminster since 1863. There will be 250 regimental members, as well as more than 140 cadet members from the unit's five cadet corps across the city, marching in the parade on Saturday.
