Two fireworks extravaganzas ready for Concord's New Year's Eve Vancouver

A team of pyrotechnic engineers were in the final stages early Saturday afternoon of preparing the big fireworks shows for Vancouver’s New Year’s Eve bash on the Coal Harbour waterfront in downtown.

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Two fireworks shows at Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver will ring in 2018 in the city with a boom-pow-bang, with a five-minute Family Fireworks show starting at 9 pm and an even more intense, spectacular 12-minute Midnight Countdown Fireworks show at 12 am sharp.

7,000 fireworks will light up the sky

Over 1,300 shells will be launched from the offshore barge for both shows, with about 300 shells for the 9 pm show and more than 1,000 shells for the midnight finale, according to Kelly Guille with Winnipeg-based Archangel Fireworks.

The largest shell being used on the night is 6 inches, which reaches a height of over 700 ft and explodes with a radius of more than 400 ft.

And if you include all the cakes and shots, approximately 7,000 fireworks will be launched.

The fireworks barge for Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

Guille said crews began setting up for the show earlier in the week, and they are far ahead of schedule as of 1 pm Saturday.

“We’re doing beyond what I could think we would achieve right now with the set-up,” Guille told Daily Hive. “We benefited from the great weather we had today after the poor weather yesterday, and we have three extra people working today so we’ve really been blessed with a stress-free set-up and hopefully it shows in the show on Sunday night.”

The Archangel Fireworks team on the fireworks barge for Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

Barge will be much closer to the shoreline

Over 100,000 people are expected to descend into downtown Vancouver for the celebration, and they will be able to enjoy a closer view and improved sightlines of the fireworks.

The barge will be towed to a location about 200 metres north of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Building, where the Premium Indoor Party is being held. This year’s firing position is about 100 metres closer to the shoreline compared to last year.

“We are considerably closer. The barge for tomorrow night is going to be a little tighter into the convention centre to give people a closer view,” said Guille. “We have to make sure people have a reason to be chilly.”

Fireworks at Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver on December 31, 2015. (Jenn Chan / Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver)

To keep the party atmosphere and anticipation going throughout the night and to provide revellers with a visual indication of where the fireworks barge is located, four warning shots will be fired over the hour before both shows.

Warning shots will be fired at 8 pm, 8:15 pm, 8:30 pm, and 8:45 pm before the Family Fireworks show and 11 pm, 11:15 pm, 11:30 pm, and 11:45 pm ahead of the Midnight Countdown Fireworks show.

Fast-paced fireworks soundtracks

Both fireworks shows are synchronized to upbeat, quick soundtracks.

The soundtrack for the Family Fireworks show was created by DJ Flipout, who is best known for his long-running, live mix-show on 94.5 Virgin Radio. Expect a mashup of the Top 40 hits for the early fireworks.

And for the midnight finale, an epic and moving soundtrack – with fast-paced music changes – to greet the arrival of the New Year has been created by Producer Dan from The PEAK 102.7 FM, which will radio simulcast the Midnight Countdown Fireworks.

Countdowns will precede both fireworks shows.

Clear skies in the forecast

Environment Canada is currently forecasting clear skies and a low of -1°C for the evening. Revellers are advised to dress warmly for the conditions.

The free street party on Canada Place Way and Jack Poole Plaza kicks off at 7 pm with two outdoor concert stages, 20 food trucks, and roving street performers.

Inside the stunning West Ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Centre, one of the best and largest party venues in Canada. There will be activities and entertainment for families and their kids at Concord’s New Year’s Eve inside this space. (Vancouver Convention Centre)

In addition to the free street party and outdoor fireworks viewing areas, revellers can also take in the festivities at the Premium Indoor Party held inside the Vancouver Convention Centre. There will be live performances and entertainment for adults, and activities and entertainment for families with younger children in the RE/MAX Family Zone.

Additionally, the Premium Indoor Party – including the Family Zone – is the only place that serves liquor at Concord’s NYE Vancouver.

Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver 2018