A festive parade of bikes stretched along 56^th St. Sunday as Delta residents had an opportunity to explore the Southlands at the first annual Southlands Bike-In & BBQ. 

Over two hundred cyclists gathered in the afternoon at the Southlands Cottage Courtyard beside the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall to participate in a bike procession to the Southlands farm.  While waiting for the biking to begin, bikers received complimentary bike tune-ups by Delta Bike Company.  

After welcoming everyone to the event, Century Group President Sean Hodgins led the procession of bikers down 56^th St to the farm gate at the Southlands property.  Hundreds of cyclists, many of whom decorated their bikes for the occasion, descended on the Southlands property, eventually converging at what will be the new Market Square.

Attendees also had an opportunity to tour the vast property on their bikes, by foot and by hay wagon. For many, it was the first time they were able to experience the enormity of the property and visualize firsthand the small area of the Southlands that will contain the new village neighborhood.

“I knew the Bike-In would be successful because of the strong support we are receiving in the community, but we were surprised to have close to five hundred people show up to an event that we just started planning a few weeks ago,” Southlands' Project Manager Brad Semke said. 

“We will continue to open the gates to the Southlands for special events like Earthwise’s upcoming Tomato Festival this Saturday, but beyond that, it will be up to the residents of Delta and the Delta Mayor and Council to open the Southlands’ forever. ” Semke explained.

The next decisive step for the Southlands plan is the upcoming public hearing on October 28 and 29, where the public will be able to voice their views about the Southlands proposal directly to Delta Council.