If you’re a true fireworks fan there’s only one place to be this just now: Vancouver, B.C. That’s the site for what many argue is the best fireworks competition on the planet, a four-day shower of sparks and surreal sounds they call the Honda Celebration of Light.
This year competitors include the likes of Vietnam, Brazil and Italy. While the July 28 and Aug. 1st shows are but a retinal image, the display on Aug. 4 is still to come.
Fireworks aren’t nearly as fun sans music. Preceding the 10pm revelry of rockets Aug. 4, SHOREfest hosts free concerts on a pair of music stages set up in English Bay and Sunset Beach. There to jam, to get you jazzed up before the rockets’ red glare, will be some of the hottest names in Canadian music. On Sunset Beach’s Rogue Stage luminaries include Famee Furlane Balletto, Bocephus King, Patrick Brealey, Viper Central, Cousin Harley, Patrizia Coletta, Joel Plaskett and Great Lake Swimmers.
If you’re looking for a headquarters of sorts amidst the festival The Keg Lounge is a good place to center yourself. Located on the Bathhouse Roof in English Bay, the lounge affords a panoramic view of the fireworks show. Along with tickets to the lounge comes VIP parking, welcome drinks and live entertainment by the likes of Jet Overhead, The Trews and Said The Whale. Hors d’oeuvres are gratis.
The weather forecast for the coming weekend is next to perfect, with a forecast high of 81 and an overnight low of 63. At 10pm Saturday, when the fireworks really begin, viewing conditions should be sublime.
(Image: tsuacctnt)
