Plans for 25 nights of Metro Vancouver fireworks canceled

The 25-day countdown of fireworks to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Honda Celebration of Light has been halted.

The celebration set out to see two- to three-minute firework displays each night in municipalities around Metro Vancouver, but after concerns from residents about the dry weather and fire restrictions, the organizers have opted to revert to the original plan of fireworks on:

• July 1 – Coast Capital Savings Canada Day Fireworks Show at Canada Place
• July 25 – Honda Celebration of Light
• July 29 – Honda Celebration of Light
• August 1 – Honda Celebration of Light

“The Honda Celebration of Light has grown to be more than fireworks,” Heather Sharpe, Producer at brand.Live, told Vancity Buzz. “We engage and entertain hundreds of thousands of people each day of our event with our musical programming, games and activities, food services and sponsor activations. We are thrilled that we are able to engage fans across Metro Vancouver with a new, exciting initiative that answers the concerns we have heard.”

Honda Celebration of Light issued the following statement regarding the change:

Thank you to everyone that voiced their excitement and support of our fireworks countdown program! Concerns over our dry summer and fire restrictions, has lead to this change in direction for the festival’s 25 day countdown. We invite everyone to enjoy the annual Coast Capital Savings Canada Day Fireworks Show as part of the Canada Day at Canada Place festivities on July 1st and then we hope you will join us at the Honda Celebration of Light for our 25th anniversary celebration fireworks spectacular.

Instead of the the 25-night firework show, the Celebration of Light will launch an interactive ticket hunt to the municipalities that have expressed support for the celebration.

Each of the 25 days leading up to the Honda Celebration of Light on July 25, the organization will hide a backstage pass in various regions of Metro Vancouver. Finders will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the Celebration of Light and two tickets to the YVR Observation Deck for the August 1 fireworks show, two tickets to a behind-the-scene barge tour and swag bags.

Beginning on July 2, the Honda Celebration of Light Facebook and Twitter pages will post clues as to where the passes are hidden.