Thousands take to downtown streets for annual festivities

CBC News Posted: Apr 24, 2016 11:00 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 24, 2016 4:34 PM ET

Thousands took to the streets this afternoon as the Khalsa Day parade moved through downtown Toronto, commemorating the Sikh new year.

More than 85,000 people were expected to take part in the annual parade, joined by dignitaries including Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory. Colourful floats and swaths of people made their way from the Canadian National Exhibition grounds to Nathan Phillips Square. 

The parade closed the westbound lanes of Lake Shore Boulevard from Exhibition Place, while the northbound lanes of York Street and University Avenue were also shut down.

Khalsa Day, also known as Vaisakhi, celebrates the Sikh new year and the founding of the Khalsa order of Sikhism. It is considered one of the largest parades in Canada.