Japan kicks off Vancouver’s Celebration of Light as it returns from pandemic hiatus
Three nights of fireworks kick off this weekend, as Vancouver’s Honda Celebration of Light returns for its 30th year after a COVID-19 hiatus.
Japan’s Akariya Fireworks is first up on Saturday, with Canadian team Midnight Sun Fireworks competing on Wednesday night, and Spain’s Pirotecnia Zaragozana’s team rounding up the festival next Saturday, July 30.
It’s the biggest event Vancouver has seen since the pandemic began and the Vancouver Police Department is expecting tens of thousands of people to gather on the streets, beaches, and parks in Vancouver’s West End.
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“We’ll have lot of extra resources out tomorrow night and every night of the fireworks. You’ll see extra officers on horses, on bicycles, on motorcycles, on foot, and our primary goal is to make sure people can be safe while they’re out here having fun,” Sgt. Steve Addison told CityNews.
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For folks heading out on the water in English Bay to get a closer look at the fireworks, Addison is reminding boaters to be aware of the dangers of boating at night.
“You might head out on the water while it’s still light out to get a good view of the fireworks. [But] by the time the fireworks are over, it’s going to be really dark and there is going to be a lot of people who are moving around out there, trying to get back to shore. We need to make sure they do it safely.”
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Addison said there will also be first responders on duty to deal with everything from medical emergencies to lost children, and he gave parents some sage advice.
“For some people, writing a phone number on your child’s hand, slipping a note in their pocket that has a phone number, in case you get separated, or committing to memory or taking a picture of the clothes that they’re wearing, in case you get separated.”
The festival will also force road closures for motorists in the area around the bay. Closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. in the West End, including Davie Street, Denman Street and Beach Avenue. Access roads into Kits Point will be closed from 6 p.m.
Roads will re-open once crowds have dispersed and police have given their all clear at approximately 11 p.m each evening during the festival.
Meanwhile, TransLink is increasing Skytrain, Canada Line, and bus services to the area in anticipation for the large crowd.
