You'd be hard pressed to find another event that is loved by more Vancouverites, and which more accurately defines summer in our city, than the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition. For the past five years I've had the honour of sitting on the judging panel that chooses the yearly winner. The panel also includes city councillors and representatives from the event sponsors like Concord Pacific and Honda. We take in each of the shows put on by international pyrotechnic teams and choose the winners who walk away with a trophy and the honour of being the best of the best. I'm often asked “how do you even judge fireworks?”, and believe it or not there is an incredibly technical point system in place, broken down into five categories which help us decide the winner. Of course, the most important factor is which of the the teams put on the most entertaining show for those who enjoy what I think is the most awesome free event that happens in Vancouver every year. |
The fireworks have been a part of Vancouver summers since 1990, with an estimated average attendance of 1.4 million people each year. Residents and visitors gather on the shores of English Bay, across the bridges, in nearby high-rises, and all the way over in Kitsilano and UBC to be dazzled. If you've lived in this city for any amount of time I imagine you've watched them from many vantage points; as long as you've got a radio nearby and can tune into the simulcast in the company of friends, you're guaranteed a great time. In recent years the event organizers, BRANDlive, have added a few layers of awesomeness to the event including a free concert series with multiple stages, and performances by Red Bull stunt planes and professional fly boarders. They've even added bleacher seating which you can pay a little bit for and be sure that you'll have one of the best views of the show.
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