Vancouver, BC - Just one day to go for the opening night of the Honda Celebration of Light. The kick off is Saturday, July 23rd, at English Bay.
Its returning for its milestone 30th year to illuminate the skies around English Bay with a breathtaking display of fireworks July 23, July 27, and July 30.
Honda Celebration of Light organized a barge tour.
The Barge Tour given by Kelly Guille, President, Archangel Fireworks Inc. provided media an exclusive sneak peek into the behind the scenes look at how the fireworks presentation is developed and produced.
(Featured in the picture-Kelly Guille, President, Archangel Fireworks Inc.)
The organizers further went onto show the intricacies of the equipment used.
The Vancouver Police Department, Emergency Health Services, TransLink and other key agencies from the City of Vancouver were also present to provide further details on the 3 day event.
(Left to Right-Tina Lovegreen-Spokesperson, TransLink, Jasmine Bradley- Executive Director, Public Affairs, E-Comm, Brian Twaites-Paramedic Specialist, BC Emergency Health Services, Constable Steve Addison-Spokesperson, Vancouver Police Department, Steve Jackson-Director, Business Services, Vancouver Parks Board, Paul Runnals-Executive Producer, Brandlive, Lt. Christian Craig-Spokesperson, Vancouver Fire Department)
A new added feature is the Morton Park Festival Zone.
The Morton Park Festival Zone will be an all-ages, family friendly area operating each day of the fireworks festival from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Whether you come with family or friends you are sure to enjoy their visit to the festival hub, which features live music, mouth-watering food trucks, sponsor activations and vendors.
Introducing the Festival Stage @ Morton Park.
— Celebration of Light (@CelebOfLight) July 13, 2022
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With live music at Morton Park in English Bay – don’t miss out on a fun-filled day of free entertainment before the fireworks. Come down early!
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Performances daily from 2 PM - 8 PM. See our website for more details. pic.twitter.com/dlJobSTzY9
“After a two-year hiatus, BC's most beloved event is returning with a bang!” explains Paul Runnals, Executive Producer with Brandlive. “Featuring competing teams from Japan, Canada, and Spain, live music, food trucks and the return of both the Red Bull Air Show and the iconic Canadian Snowbirds presented this year by Concord Pacific, you won't want to miss the excitement happening throughout English Bay.”
WATCH: HONDA CELEBRATION OF LIGHT VIDEO, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, PAUL RUNNALS SPEAKS TO DARPAN
The Morton Park Festival Zone functions as the heart of the action for the 2022 Honda Celebration of Light, having been newly relocated from the installations of previous years at Second Beach and Sunset Beach.
For those planning their trips to the Honda Celebration of Light and Morton Park Festival Zone, please note that there will be a bike lane detour and partial road closure along Beach Avenue beginning at 9 a.m. each day of the event. Restricted vehicle access for non-residents of the West End will also be in place from 7 p.m. daily.
With thousands to descend upon English Bay, Honda Celebration of Light is encouraging everyone to take transit.
As Lower Mainland residents and visitors begin planning their routes, festival organizers and @translink are teaming up to encourage attendees to take transit to this year’s event and utilize increased services. pic.twitter.com/pjcSlVIuxc
— Celebration of Light (@CelebOfLight) July 20, 2022
To ensure customers have safe and reliable transportation options, TransLink is boosting service and adjusting bus routes to accommodate for street closures during the Honda Celebration of Light. There will be increased bus service to meet demand in various locations, particularly in downtown Vancouver. TransLink will also implement enhanced public safety protocols, including the presence of additional staff and security that will be present during each day of the festival.
“TransLink is thrilled to be partnering with the Honda Celebration of Light and further mark the return of one of summer’s most iconic traditions,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “We’re encouraging Metro Vancouverites to leave their car at home, and instead hop on transit, walk or cycle down to English Bay to help reduce vehicle congestion that could impede the movement of foot traffic during the fireworks festival.”
SkyTrain will be operating on peak service levels, with trains every two to three minutes leading up to, and following the fireworks display on all three evenings. Other operational changes include the SeaBus extending its 15-minute services from 9:15 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. PDT and a special West Coast Express service operating on Saturday, July 30 – arriving at Waterfront Station at 8:15 p.m. and departing at midnight.
The teams participating are Japan on Saturday, July 23rd for the opening night. It's Canada on Wednesday, July 27th and the iconic Canadian Snowbird team is back to perform their formation flyovers at English Bay, presented by Concord Pacific for the 27th. The fireworks wrap up with a finale on July 30th that will see Spain display it's spectacular display of fireworks.
The winning team will be announced on Tuesday, August 2nd.
Photo courtesy of IStock and Honda Celebration of Light.