Remembrance Day is commemorated in Coquitlam on November 11th with a procession to the Cenotaph on Veterans Way followed by ceremonies in Blue Mountain Park.
Click Vancouver Remembrance Day Events for information about ceremonies in other communities across the Lower Mainland, or continue reading to learn about what happens at Coquitlam’s main November 11th events.
Remembrance Day in Coquitlam
Coquitlam holds its annual Remembrance Day event on November 11th near Blue Mountain Park which is located at 975 King Albert Avenue. There’s usually a parade followed by ceremonies at the Cenotaph in the park.
Before the parade people typically gather along Veterans Way in front of the park. Over 1000 people turn out for the event in normal years, and there are usually at least a couple of military vehicles on display for people to look at.
The parade itself is short. It starts at Como Lake School just a block down the road and up to 100 or so veterans, RCMP officers and cadets participate in the procession. There is also a small marching band.
Ceremony Time and Location
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled. Fortunately, the parade and ceremonies return in 2022 and are open to the public.
Remembrance Day ceremonies in Coquitlam begin with a parade. In 2022 the parade assembles at Como Lake Middle School at 1121 King Albert Avenue at 10:15 am. From the school, the parade route usually follows Winslow Avenue to the Cenotaph on Veterans Way (a.k.a. Porter Street) at the east end of Blue Mountain Park.
Veterans, members of the military, cadets and police officers march in the parade. Grandchildren and great grandchildren of veterans are also typically welcome to participate.
In 2022 the parade finishes at the Cenotaph at the park at around 10:30 am and the formal ceremony begins there shortly after. Similar to ceremonies elsewhere, the service is fairly solemn and normally includes a prayer, the laying of wreaths and the singing of O Canada. It’s usually a chance for the community to honor and pay their respects to those who have fought for our country.
Coquitlam Remembrance Day in 2022
There are other things to do in Coquitlam for Remembrance Day as well. In 2022 there is Poppy Painting Along Veteran’s Way, where you can stop by Blue Mountain Park on select days from November 3rd to 10th to paint a poppy as part of a community display.
Also in 2022, folks can write a message of remembrance and attach it to a tree with a yellow ribbon along Veteran’s Way. This is open until November 18th, at which point all the messages are gathered and sent to different veterans groups.
Other Information
For more details about the parade and event that happens most years at Blue Mountain Park see the City of Coquitlam‘s website.
For ideas on other things to do in the area see our article about Coquitlam.
To see a list of November 11th events in other communities click Vancouver Remembrance Day Events.
For details about other November 11th ceremonies in the Tri-Cities region see our articles about Remembrance Day in Port Coquitlam and Remembrance Day in Port Moody.
