West Vancouver commemorates November 11th each year with a parade along Marine Drive and Remembrance Day ceremony at Memorial Park.
Remembrance Day in West Vancouver
In normal years, the Remembrance Day event in West Vancouver runs from 10:45 am until 11:30 am. It begins with a parade starting at around Marine Drive and 15th Street. The procession heads west along the main road for a few blocks and stops in front of Memorial Park. This is located between the 19th and 20th Streets on Marine Drive.
The parade begins at 10:45 am. It usually involves between 100 and 200 participants including a dozen or so veteran seniors, a large contingent of cadets, and a few members of the military. Local police, fire departments and the West Vancouver Youth Band also participate.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, the general public wasn’t able to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2020 and 2021.
In 2022 the ceremonies were open to the public for the first time since 2019. The in-person event starts at 10:45 am and includes the usual parade and ceremony.
In years when it happens, the procession typically marches just four or so blocks along Marine Drive before stopping in front of the Memorial Arch at Memorial Park. The Remembrance Day ceremony takes place there starting at around 10:55 am.
The West Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremony features the usual two minutes of silence at 11:00 am. It also includes the laying of wreathes, a prayer and a brief speech or two. It’s a fairly short service and usually finishes at around 11:30 am.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your Remembrance Day experience in West Vancouver.
TIP #1: The event in West Vancouver is a nice one, and it’s fairly short. It includes a small parade and the ceremony includes everything you’d expect but lasts for only about half an hour (which makes it perfect for folks of all ages and attention spans).
TIP #2: Another nice thing about the West Vancouver event is its location. Dundarave Beach is close by, as is the West Van Aquatic Centre. The former is perfect for walks, picnics and fun on the playground apparatus after the service in years when the weather is good. The latter is popular for post-ceremony exercise, swimming and playing in the pools, especially on days when it’s raining.
TIP #3: Combine your outing to the West Van Remembrance Day ceremony with a visit to places of interest in the area. In addition to Dundarave Beach and the Aquatic Centre, other places within easy driving distance include Ambleside Park and the Park Royal shopping centre in one direction, and Lighthouse Park and Whytecliff Park in the other.
Other Information
For more information about the November 11th event on Marine Drive at Memorial Park see the District of West Vancouver‘s website.
For details about other similar events see our article about Remembrance Day in North Vancouver. Or, for a list of November 11th ceremonies all over the Lower Mainland, click Metro Vancouver Remembrance Day Events.
To learn more about the region, click West Vancouver or Vancouver’s North Shore.
For information about other things to do both this month and at other times of the year, check out any of the following:
