Rain couldn’t dampen the community spirit and amazing turnout at our Welcome Back Community BBQ at Lord Byng Elementary School on Thursday, September 20th (4-6 pm). Due to the weather, the event was moved inside the school gym and multi-purpose room with a record turnout of almost 500 parents, students, staff and volunteers who gathered to celebrate the start of the school year.
This special event also celebrates and renews community connections of key service personnel. Byng PAC partnered again with the YVR Emergency Services team who brought their #9 Green Fire Truck for tours while Richmond RCMP were on hand to chat with families. The City of Richmond Waste Reduction & Recycling along with Fortis BC were also present with informative booths and games. This old fashioned, feel-good event offered hot dogs, chips, apples and lemonade to all attendees along with cupcakes for the children.
Entertainment included a live folk singer, balloon animals for over 200 kids, tattoos, crafts, cupcake walk, guessing contests, along with roaming mascots most notably Sammy The Salmon from the Steveston Community Society. This complimentary, community building event allowed families of all demographics to partake and enjoy all the festivities which they might not all have afforded to do so otherwise. This free event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives who provided a Neighourhood Small Grant along with Byng PAC who funded the rest of the event.
