The Seaforth Highlanders, Vancouver’s Infantry Regiment, are moving back into the Armoury at 1650 Burrard Street in Kits after four years of renovations to the building. To celebrate their move back into the building, the Highlanders are inviting all to attend a series of free events that they have planned for the day – parade through Kitsilano, Parade Drumhead Ceremony and a Military Tattoo with lots of performers, including Chor Leoni.
The day’s festivities will begin with a march led by the Seaforth Pipes & Drums, from the Jericho Garrison, where the Seaforth Highlanders have been stationed for the past four years, to the refurbished Seaforth Armoury. The official ceremony to reopen the Armoury will be followed by a formal parade and a Drumhead Ceremony. The afternoon will end with an entertaining and spirited military tattoo with musical performances.
Approximately 250 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada members, Cadets and Regimental Association Members will participate in the day. Music and entertainment will be provided by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums, the Band of the 15th Field Regiment, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band, Shot of Scotch Vancouver Highland Dancers, male vocal choir Chor Leoni, along with many others.
During the past four years, the Seaforth Armoury has undergone extensive seismic upgrades and had its building services modernized to allow the Seaforths to continue to respond to domestic emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires, and floods as well as train to serve overseas in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Armoury was originally opened in August 1936, and is the home of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and two Cadet Corps.
That same morning, the Major General B.M. Hoffmeister, OC, CB, CBE, DSO Building, neighbouring the Armoury at 1755 West 1st Ave., will also see the official opening as home to the 39 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and several other Canadian Armed Forces units.
Event Details:
Saturday, September 24, 2016
10:30 am Parade to exercise the Infantry Regiment’s Right of Freedom of the City lead by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums
Route: Regiment and Cadets will depart Jericho Garrison, 4050 West 4th Avenue, march down West 4th to McDonald, left on McDonald, right on Cornwall and finally right on Burrard. The parade concludes at 1650 Burrard Street
11:30 am Canadian flag raising ceremony at the Seaforth Armoury doors, 1650 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
1:00 pm Parade and Drumhead Ceremony on the parade square. In honour of having the Afghanistan Battle Honour emblazoned on the Regimental Colours, veterans of the Afghanistan Campaign, from across the Lower Mainland, have been invited to parade with the Regiment.
2:00 pm Highland Homecoming Military Tattoo connecting Vancouverites to the Military through music and Military exercise. Bands, singers, and highland dancers will entertain. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada will provide training exercises, equipment demonstrations and a broad sword set demonstration
3:45 pm Event concludes
Participants: Local male vocal ensemble Chor Leoni, the Band of the 15th Field Regiment, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums, and the Highland Dance Team, Shot of Scotch
Location: Parade square inside the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Armoury
Cost: Free for all to attend
Parking: Street parking is available
Last modified: January 3, 2017
A lovely event enthusiastically presented and received. well done!
Why is there a (very large) Christian Cross hanging in the south window of the armoury, on high??