How to Make the Hyack Multicultural Parade Unforgettable for Your Organization

Every May, New Westminster comes alive for BC's largest family-oriented parade. The Hyack Multicultural Parade draws floats, marching bands, community groups, and performance artists through the streets, putting your organization in front of a massive, captive audience for the entire duration of the procession. Whether you are a small business, a cultural association, or a community club, participating is one of the most visible things you can do in the Lower Mainland.

The question most organizers arrive at quickly is not whether to participate, but how to stand out once you are there. A decorated vehicle and costumed staff will get attention, but the organizations that leave a lasting impression are those that give the crowd something to interact with, something to share, and something to remember long after the parade ends.

One of the most effective tools emerging across community parades and outdoor festivals is the roaming photo booth. Unlike a fixed installation, a roaming booth moves through the procession with your entry, engaging spectators on the sidelines, capturing spontaneous moments with your team, and producing branded, shareable photos in real time. Guests are not waiting for the booth to come to them at a reception or banquet hall. The booth comes to the crowd, which is exactly the energy a street parade demands.

For organizations planning their Hyack Parade entry and looking to maximize the impact of their participation, working with a local photo booth provider that understands community events and outdoor activations makes the difference between a fun afternoon and a genuinely memorable brand moment. Off The Reel, based right here in New Westminster, specializes in exactly this kind of activation. Their roamer booth is built for high-foot-traffic outdoor events, and their team has experience executing alongside parades and community festivals across the Lower Mainland. You can explore their services at offthereel.ca.

Planning your entry well ahead of the parade date also gives you time to align your visual identity across costumes, signage, vehicle wraps, and any branded photo templates your photo booth produces. When every element of your presence carries the same theme and colors, spectators remember you as an organization rather than just another float in the procession.

The Hyack Multicultural Parade is one of those rare community events where showing up with intention genuinely pays off. The audience is large, the atmosphere is celebratory, and the goodwill associated with the parade transfers to every organization in it. If your business or community group is planning to register, start thinking now about how you want people to feel when they see you on the route, and what you want them to walk away with.