There are two fireworks stories that you can expect to follow on V.I.A. every year without fail:
1. The highly organized and awe-inspiring Celebration Of Light fireworks competition! It lights up English Bay with multiple nights of choreographed fireworks put together by the world's best fireworks experts and is one of the summer's most memorable events. Here are some of our posts from this year: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
2. The much less organized home grown bonanza that rolls around at the end of October and lands in your backyard. Literally! Two years ago you weren't allowed to buy fireworks in the City of Vancouver but with a permit you could buy em in Burnaby and truck em into the city. Last year they opened it up so that pretty much anybody could sell fireworks in the city (including certain restaurants, see HERE for proof) and this year that bylaw is holding strong. As of the time of this posting (12:01AM on Monday, October 25th) you're now permitted to stock up on pyrotechnic devices for an October 31st display in your yard. Surely you don't have to go far to find either a popup fireworks shop or a restaurant/corner store selling them. Here's the official word from the city:
"If you intend to buy and use fireworks this Halloween season in Vancouver, you MUST have a permit and be 19 years of age or older. Fireworks may only be purchased from October 25 to 31 and be discharged on October 31. You must show ID and your permit each time you purchase fireworks and carry both when you use fireworks."
Photo: Squeaky Marmot on Flickr
HERE is all of the info from the COV and HERE is where you can apply for a permit online, quickly and easily.
