Honda Celebration of Light 2023 participating countries announced

Team Japan's show during the 2022 Honda Celebration of Light. (Mark Teasdale/@ MarksGonePublic/Twitter/submitted)

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Three heavyweights in the global fireworks display industry from three different continents have been named as participants for the 31st annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition in Summer 2023.

During a press conference this morning, organizers of Vancouver’s fireworks festival announced the three participating fireworks companies and the countries they will each represent in the fireworks competition.

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The 2023 competition will begin with the team representing Australia on Saturday, July 22, followed by Mexico on Wednesday, July 26, and The Philippines on Saturday, July 29.

“The City of Vancouver is proud to welcome the hundreds of thousands of Vancouverites, British Columbians, Canadians, and those from around the world to celebrate and enjoy this one-of-a-kind event,” said Ken Sim, Mayor of the City of Vancouver.

“The Honda Celebration of Light has become synonymous with summertime fun in Vancouver by bringing people together and showcasing our city’s vibrancy.”

JUST IN… These are the 2023 Honda Celebration of Light Vancouver fireworks countries!

– Saturday, July 22: Australia 🇦🇺
– Wednesday, July 26: Mexico 🇲🇽
– Saturday, July 29: The Philippines 🇵🇭#CelebOfLight https://t.co/YB7t0zaJTf

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) April 24, 2023

Returning to the Honda Celebration of Light in 2023 is Howard & Sons.

The Australian fireworks institution last competed in Vancouver in 2016, when it came second place behind Team USA, represented by the fireworks team at Walt Disney World Resort. pic.twitter.com/NC6hWGfhSc

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) April 24, 2023

The last time Howard & Sons participated in the Vancouver fireworks competition was in 2016, when it came second against The Walt Disney Company’s representation of the United States.

Howard & Sons is a family-operated fireworks institution that began in 1922 and was previously the longtime fireworks product supplier for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. Some of their largest and most prestigious fireworks shows were created for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 and Delhi in 2010.

They produced the first fireworks display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, when it opened in 1932, and the Opera House in 1973.

In addition to Howard & Sons representing Team Australia, Grupo Avacon will represent Team Mexico, while Blue Peacock will represent Team Philipines.

Grupo Avacon has participated in both international and domestic competitions and festivals, while also performing almost daily for the best hotels and companies in Mexico.

And as for Blue Peacock, they are one of the largest fireworks companies in The Philippines, and have won more awards than all competing companies. They provided the climax to the 100th Philippines Independence Celebration, and were the first-ever team to set up a pyro-musical using the SkyRanch Eye, which is the tallest Ferris Wheel in The Philippines.

For the first time in at least a long while, the Honda Celebration of Light’s final night (The Philipines) will not coincide with the BC Day long weekend and the Vancouver Pride Parade, which is scheduled this year for Sunday, August 6.

As usual, the 2023 Honda Celebration of Light will feature ample programming leading up to the fireworks, including the Red Bull Air Show for all three nights.

New this year is the sponsor for the premium ticketed grandstand at English Bay Beach, with Concord Pacific taking on the sponsor title of the grandstand. To celebrate the new Concord Pacific Grandstand, the company will be giving away 200 grandstand seats to downtown Vancouver seniors, families, and individuals. More details will be released at a later date on the lottery to distribute these tickets.

As well, the cost of available accessible grandstand tickets will be covered for all three nights, with these tickets given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

“It’s that time of year when we begin the countdown to a magical experience that is the Honda Celebration of Light,” said Michael McKnight, co-chair of the not-for-profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society. “We encourage the people of Vancouver, the province and this country to treat this as an opportunity to come out and truly celebrate this spectacular event.”

Honda Celebration of Light fireworks 2023

Schedule and nations:
- Saturday, July 22: Australia 🇦🇺, represented by Howard & Sons
  - With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
- Wednesday, July 26: Mexico 🇲🇽, represented by Grupo Avacon
  - With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
- Saturday, July 29: The Philippines 🇵🇭, represented by Blue Peacock
  - With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
Time: 10 pm to 10:25 pm (25-minute duration each night). Rain or shine.
Location: English Bay, Vancouver

Daily Hive is a Proud Media Partner of the
2023 Honda Celebration of Light

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