The World's Largest Tin Soldier, currently located on the waterfront in New Westminster, is officially recognized by Guinness World Records. He is 9.75m (32 feet) tall and weighs 4,540kg (10,000 lbs). The Solider (informally called "Tinny" by many people in the community) was first unveiled to the public on November 29, 2000 at the Royal Westminster Regiment before dedication ceremonies for the Soldier took place on February 14, 2001 beside the Fraser River. Children placed items in a time capsule and selected February 14, 2025 as the date it would be unsealed. Many people contributed to the creation of the Tin Soldier.
Join the City of New Westminster as we open up the time capsule in the World’s Largest Tin Soldier and see what 2001 New West thought was important to include. “Tinny” was meant to stand for inclusion and kindness in the community and we reflect on the diversity of New Westminster today and how we can be inclusive and kind to everyone going forward.
Stave off the cold temperatures with a free hot beverage, available throughout the event courtesy of the Downtown BIA, Origins Chocolate Bar, Moodswing Coffee + Bar, and Key West Ford.
Event schedule:
- 4:00 to 7:00 pm:
Author readings of Tall Tale: The True Story of the World's Largest Tin Soldier by Tiffany Stone, at Kinder Books (inside River Market) - 4:00 to 8:00 pm:
Children's activity and craft, provided by New West Family Place and Arts New West, outside near the Tin Soldier - 5:00 to 8:00 pm:
Time capsule opening with special guests. Items will be displayed inside the Fraser River Discovery Centre - After sunset (~5:50 pm) until 8:00 pm:
Indigenous art projection by Kwantlen artist Brandon Gabriel, a reimagining of the solider into the World's Largest Coast Salish Welcome Figure.
Artist statement: “Carved cedar Welcome Figures have long been integral to Coast Salish governance, ceremony, and heraldry. European colonial records, including Simon Fraser’s 1808 expedition, documented these monumental sculptures along the riverbanks. The 1858 arrival of the Royal Engineers marked colonial expansion and Indigenous displacement. Today, New Westminster’s ‘World’s Largest Tin Soldier’ symbolizes this legacy. In response, Kwantlen artist Brandon Gabriel and Savage Production Society artist Pablo Munoz present The World’s Largest Coast Salish Welcome Figure, inviting reflection on Indigenous presence and history.”
With thanks to our many collaborators: Arts New West, New West Family Place, River Market, the Fraser River Discovery Centre, Tourism New West, the Downtown New Westminster BIA and their member businesses, and everyone involved in the creation of the World's Largest Tin Soldier.
