[SpongeG]

sounds interesting - whos going?

Celebration of Light: Godzilla, road closures, transit changes and high tides

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Over 350,000 people are expected to gather around Vancouver beaches tonight to see Canada kick off the Celebration of Light over English Bay. The fireworks theme tonight is called "Attack", featuring Godzilla.

Kari Kylo with the Celebration of Light says tonight's show by Canada (the returning champ of the contest) will be a unique display. "It's about Godzilla coming up from under the water and taking over the city of Vancouver. The producers...I was on the barge yesterday with them chatting about it and it has never been done quite like this before so I think it will be a very very exciting performance."

Saturday the U.S. performs in the show for the first time, followed by China showing off its Olympic inspired show next Wednesday. The grand finale will go Saturday, August 2nd.

As usual, people heading into the city for the fireworks are strongly advised to take transit, walk, or bike. There will be bike valet areas set up for cyclists. Road closures will be in effect starting at 7:30pm in the West End and at 6 pm in Kitsilano. You can see the full list of road closures here.

There are also reminders from police, TransLink and from city clean-up crews: Consider your fellow fireworks fan, bring your manners, leave the alcohol at home and pack your garbage out with you when you leave, or at the very least pick it up and throw it in one of the hundreds of garbage bins.

TransLink also has special plans for each of the fireworks nights, and the full list is available at their website.

And a friendly reminder about tides. High Tide is at 10:26 pm tonight (15 feet), so if you stake out a nice spot on the beach this afternoon, it might be underwater by the time the fireworks start.

[mr.x]

won't be watching tonight's display, busy....

...but will be watching Saturday's on one of the top floors of Royal Bank Tower. :D

[Cypherus]

I will be skipping the fireworks this year. Going every year to watch the same show, only to wait in traffic for 2 hours afterward while watching a bunch of social retards cause a ruckus leaves less to be desired.

[entheosfog]

I went last year for the first time, only for one night. I'd like to go again this year but it is a pain getting back home by Skytrain and having to deal with even more idiots on the skytrain than usual. But I'll prob go anyway...:rolleyes:

[mr.x]

I will be skipping the fireworks this year. Going every year to watch the same show, only to wait in traffic for 2 hours afterward while watching a bunch of social retards cause a ruckus leaves less to be desired.

Only if you're watching from downtown or Vanier Park......imo, it's still a pretty good show from Jericho Beach Park/Hastings Mills Park....then again, i do live only a few blocks away from there.

Right after watching it on Saturday, we intend on leaving Royal Bank Tower right away and scramble to Burrard Station where we will then take SkyTrain to Main Street to be picked up.

[SpongeG]

Only if you're watching from downtown or Vanier Park......imo, it's still a pretty good show from Jericho Beach Park/Hastings Mills Park....then again, i do live only a few blocks away from there.

Right after watching it on Saturday, we intend on leaving Royal Bank Tower right away and scramble to Burrard Station where we will then take SkyTrain to Main Street to be picked up.

i watched from kits and it took us a good hour+ to get from west 12th and arbutus area to granville and 70th - we were trying to get back to surrey via east / west connector

brutal no matter where you try to go

[mr.x]

i watched from kits and it took us a good hour+ to get from west 12th and arbutus area to granville and 70th - we were trying to get back to surrey via east / west connector

brutal no matter where you try to go

It would've probably been faster if you took the small streets instead of the arteries. But if i leave right away (it'll probably take 5-mins to get to Burrard Station right after the show), wouldn't it be alright?

Can't wait to see the Canada Line packed....and with lineups outside stations stretching for two blocks in length!

[Hong Kongese]

will be watching Saturday's on one of the top floors of Royal Bank Tower. :D

Can we join you?

[mr.x]

Can we join you?

I'll try to bring back photos. :)

[SpongeG]

It would've probably been faster if you took the small streets instead of the arteries. But if i leave right away (it'll probably take 5-mins to get to Burrard Station right after the show), wouldn't it be alright?

Can't wait to see the Canada Line packed....and with lineups outside stations stretching for two blocks in length!

we did we zig zagged out way across the west side - it was bad everywhere

its expected there is no escaping it

[mr.x]

we did we zig zagged out way across the west side - it was bad everywhere

its expected there is no escaping it

What about SkyTrain in downtown at 10:30 pm?

[entheosfog]

I think if I go down on Saturday I'll just walk there and back. It's about 35-40 minutes from my place and sure beats the line-ups! I can see it from my balcony a little but being so far away takes away a little of the excitement.

[deasine]

Wow mr.x... royal bank? I'll be trying to watch the finale from the credit union central building facing English bay =)

[worldwide]

i watched them from the park at mcdonald and cornwall. i was out of there on my bike and halfway through kits before people even got back to their cars.

[twoNeurons]

What about SkyTrain in downtown at 10:30 pm?

As long as you make it to Burrard station before 11:00 - 11:10, you'll be fine. We left immediately from English Bay (near Sylvia hotel) and jogged halfway to Burrard. We arrived at Burrard @ 10:50 and the train and station were empty. The train left practically 25% full and everyone on the train got a seat. The trick really is to be near an exit point (not near the front of the beach) and take side streets. We picked someone up at Nanaimo station at 11:10 and the trains were just getting full.

Being that you'll be watching from the Royal Bank Tower, it should be fine. I've watched it from TD Tower before... but to be honest, it's not that great from that height and distance, behind a glass wall. Unless you have an outside balcony.

The show yesterday was really good... but I just liked the theme... and the massive big bang at the end.

[giallo]

I watched it last night from my friend's place on Beach Ave. I try and get some pictures up later.

[mr.x]

Change of plans....i will now be watching it from the penthouse of the Empire Landmark Hotel. :D

[mr.x]

lineup outside Waterfront Station after the fireworks:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/31892169_7e8a616689_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/31891861_a9e8a1fd40_o.jpg

[twoNeurons]

lineup outside Waterfront Station after the fireworks:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/31892169_7e8a616689_o.jpg

Silly people... they probably thought they'd wait until the crowds died down. I'll let you guy in on a secret... leave right after the final explosion and you'll be fine.

[mr.x]

Got home ten minutes ago......left the hotel at 10.30, arrived at Burrard Station at 10.45. Me and my friend were about to go down the escalator to the platform but then the transit staff stopped us as apparently a train had broken down in the tunnel. So, i called my parents and they were nearby and they picked us up.

When i got back to street level, there was a lineup for Burrard Station about an entire block long, and that was 10.50....what a difference 5-minutes makes.

BTW, USA sucked tonight.

[ravman]

yeah USA always sucks.....

[squeezied]

wat?? i would have actually said usa did better than canada(excuse the blesphemy). maybe it was just the location; i watched canada at kits beach and usa at english bay.

[mr.x]

Then it's possible that if i had watched Canada, i would have given it an even lower rating. I didn't like USA, the song choice was terrible.

[deasine]

^ i think you're just spoiled by Hong Kong fireworks =P

[Jacques]

USA they sure did bad...
I watched the sky light-up from Gastown when Canada showed its stuff last Wednesday it was quite awesome.
Well next China, it gets so crazy every year, that I only go to the last show!
anyone care to share photos!
Cheers and thanks

[SpongeG]

china is suppossed to go all out this year for the olympics preview or something

[mr.x]

china is suppossed to go all out this year for the olympics preview or something

They tested their entire fireworks sequence about eight times, each time costing more than a million dollars.

Their opening/closing ceremonies, like Athens, are expected to cost about $100-million. In comparison, Vancouver's will be $40-million....which is also what Torino, Salt Lake, and Sydney spent.

[AlexYVR]

yeah USA always sucks.....

Funny, since this was their inaugural year. . .

[SpongeG]

For newbies, the United States did pretty well

http://rogersradiointernet.com/BC/CKWX/images/2007/Aug1FireworksPix%20038.jpg
News1130 Photo

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The United States has wrapped up its first time ever taking part in the Celebration of Light fireworks festival. The weather held up, the crowd seemed tame and the tens of thousands lining English Bay seemed to be pleased with the show. The USA's first foray into the Celebration of Light got mostly rave reviews.

Sometimes where they lacked in finesse, the US made up for it in the way they always do. The bigger the better. China is next up on Wednesday, with the finale on Saturday.

To make your opinion known, you can rate the performance by texting. Scores will be tallied and one country will be given the "BC Hydro Power Smart People’s Choice" award. For more information on how to send your rating click here.

The Vancouver police are starting to notice a change in behaviour in fireworks crowds, a change for the better! Constable Tim Fanning says the number of arrests is way down.

"We had a lot more weapons seized in the past, a lot more fights. We've only had two reported fights, four arrests, 200 liquor seizure pour outs, so that's dramatically down from years gone by."

He says the smaller crowd could be blamed on the Pemberton music festival, but he also feels the fireworks night is turning into more of a family affair.

http://www.news1130.com/news/topstory/article.jsp?content=20080727_025116_436

[Stingray2004]

lineup outside Waterfront Station after the fireworks:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/31892169_7e8a616689_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/31891861_a9e8a1fd40_o.jpg


Those photos are brutal. I couldn't ever imagine anyone having the patience for anything like that!

Some people took in the fireworks Wednesday night casually by having early evening cocktails at the Westin Bayshore, then taking the neighbouring Harbour Cruise dinner boat to English Bay and returning by staying overnight at the Bayshore.

Even on Saturday night, some people held a dinner party along Beach Ave. and then watched the fireworks from the open grassland of Sunset Beach.

Very relaxing, very entertaining and hassle free.

The Godzilla music Wednesday night kinda sucked as opposed to Saturday night's musical theme. Nevertheless, both visual shows were exemplary from different locales.

BTW, Cypress Bowl is also another interesting venue to catch the fireworks show hassle free.;)

[mr.x]

Some really crappy pictures from a really crappy camera at a really nice location:



This is what the Bay's gate at the Granville SkyTrain entrance looks like when it is closed.
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9163/dscf2018lf6.jpg



From the penthouse/40th floor of the Empire Landmark Hotel:
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8654/dscf2036lo5.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9382/dscf2024cn7.jpg
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/170/dscf2026rm9.jpg
http://img257.image[IMG]http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/239/dscf2147jg7.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3874/dscf2039lt9.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1001/dscf2037fk3.jpg
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7772/dscf2040wb6.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3645/dscf2041jn1.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/42/dscf2135bc1.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3776/dscf2137en1.jpg





This is Burrard Station......a 5 people thick and 120-metres long grew in less than five minutes. When I left, the lineup was still growing.
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/676/dscf2148qu1.jpg

[deasine]

what a great view! =)

[twoNeurons]

This is Burrard Station......a 5 people thick and 120-metres long grew in less than five minutes. When I left, the lineup was still growing.
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/676/dscf2148qu1.jpg

Good to know Mr.X2 I'm planning on going this Wednesday.

[mr.x]

Good to know Mr.X2 I'm planning on going this Wednesday.

I suggest that you make it to Burrard Station by 10.40.

[twoNeurons]

I suggest that you make it to Burrard Station by 10.40.

That's about the time we were there last wednesday... but at our destination, (parked near Nanaimo) we watched the next few trains go past... most weren't that full... I know quite a few get off at Commercial, mind you.

[SpongeG]

back in the day we used to watch than hang out at the clubs until about 2 am so lineups were never a problem

now i just avoid all together

[EdinVan]

Those photos are brutal. I couldn't ever imagine anyone having the patience for anything like that!



Well, when people have nothing better to do with their time, what do you expect? It's embarassing that the biggest event in Vancouver is fireworks and that people plan an entire evening around them. Vancouver has sunken to a new low (or, rather, Vancouverites have sunken to a new low, because it's the people, such as they are, that make a city what it is). Sigh.

[mr.x]

Well, when people have nothing better to do with their time, what do you expect? It's embarassing that the biggest event in Vancouver is fireworks and that people plan an entire evening around them. Vancouver has sunken to a new low (or, rather, Vancouverites have sunken to a new low, because it's the people, such as they are, that make a city what it is). Sigh.

Imagine the horror if we lost the fireworks.....and we nearly did in several occasions over the past few years.




Another shot by someone else of the lineup outside Burrard Station after Saturday's show:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/hockey_lova44/DSC01315.jpg

[dreambrother808]

Well, when people have nothing better to do with their time, what do you expect? It's embarassing that the biggest event in Vancouver is fireworks and that people plan an entire evening around them. Vancouver has sunken to a new low (or, rather, Vancouverites have sunken to a new low, because it's the people, such as they are, that make a city what it is). Sigh.

wow... they're just fireworks. people enjoy them. it's not the end of the world nor is it some yardstick on which to measure our city's true value... god... the city's main flaws are mostly pissy, whiney people like you.

[mr.x]

We need:

1) a real amusement park
2) a zoo, using the model of the San Diego Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium
3) a real New Years Eve celebration that really rocks
4) more summer festivals

[LeftCoaster]

wow... they're just fireworks. people enjoy them. it's not the end of the world nor is it some yardstick on which to measure our city's true value... god... the city's main flaws are mostly pissy, whiney people like you.

:cheers:

[squeezied]

wow no comments abt china's preformance yesterday? i hafta say that was by far the best one.

[Smooth]

I was sort of bored through most of it. If it was the best one I guess it's a good thing I missed the other two.

Maybe it was because it was a Wednesday but the crowds didn't seem the big either.

[twoNeurons]

The beginning was great! The middle was elegant. The Finale was great!

We beat the hordes to the SkyTrain too... 10:50.

[paradigm4]

I was sort of bored through most of it. If it was the best one I guess it's a good thing I missed the other two.

Maybe it was because it was a Wednesday but the crowds didn't seem the big either.

Yes, it wasnt too busy, but it might have to do with the potential showers.

I wasn't too satisfied either. Compared to other years, China has done much better. Perhaps it was because I couldn't hear the music that I have a less than stellar impression though....

[Smooth]

I was quite impressed with China last year. This year it felt like they had enough fireworks to pull off a solid 15 minutes and instead diluted it into a half hour show. Maybe I'm just a sucker for when they blow up a lot of fireworks all at once.

[LeftCoaster]

wow no comments abt china's preformance yesterday? i hafta say that was by far the best one.

What?? Did you even watch the first one?

Maybe this one had a bigger explosion at the end, but technically it was far inferior. The synchronization and artistic merit showed by the Archangel team was absolutely incredible. The Wednesday show was one of the best firework displays I have ever seen, and I have seen my fair share. Like I said it may not have been the most explosive or in your face, but if you actually know your fireworks I have to say it is the hands down favourite.

[mr.x]

Didn't watch China's show, but from my house the bangs were a lot louder than usual and much more frequent....sitting at home, i was assuming that they had a ton of big ones.

[squeezied]

What?? Did you even watch the first one?

Maybe this one had a bigger explosion at the end, but technically it was far inferior. The synchronization and artistic merit showed by the Archangel team was absolutely incredible. The Wednesday show was one of the best firework displays I have ever seen, and I have seen my fair share. Like I said it may not have been the most explosive or in your face, but if you actually know your fireworks I have to say it is the hands down favourite.

are u referring to canada???

[LeftCoaster]

Indeed I am, the Archangel team is out of Winnipeg I believe.

I usually dont even like Canada's shows, but for some reason they just nailed it this year.

[squeezied]

well to be fair, i wasn't able to hear much of the music for canada's preformance. i would've probably appreciate canada's synchronization cuz i thought china's was well done. although i have to say china was a bit grandiose at the end, but u gotta please the crowds. anyway i'll be sure i'll sit closer to the speakers for the finale.

[LeftCoaster]

Yeah no doubt... China's finale was phenominal. But then again China always nails down the 'wow factor' at the symphony of fire, I just find they put too much effort into the explosivity and not as much into the coordination.

[squeezied]

LeftCoaster, i gotta admit it to you, canada did rock the fireworks, for the finale at least. this time i brought a radio how off-sync the speakers at english bay were. canada's preformance was fantastic. usa's was terrible. china's wasnt as good as i had thought compared to its wednesday's preformance. oh and the "kill bill" segment was funny in a wtf way:P

[SpongeG]

Canada won

it was actually a tie and someone had to break the tie and gave the vote to Canada

but China won Peoples Choice

[David]

im surprised nobody has mentioned how ridiculously awful the BC 150 fireworks display was. If anything in 2010 is half as childish or corny, we are in big trouble. I felt embarrassed to be British Columbian

[mr.x]

im surprised nobody has mentioned how ridiculously awful the BC 150 fireworks display was. If anything in 2010 is half as childish or corny, we are in big trouble. I felt embarrassed to be British Columbian

i.e. the Torino handover?
I'm not even sure how they couldn't get the part of singing our national anthem in a good way, the one-man opera singer at Torino was just terrible.

VANOC probably didn't spend much on that presentation......compared to folks at London that are spending 4 million pounds for their handover in Beijing.


Hopefully, they learned their lesson.....I don't think you should turn the BC 150 thing into a foreshadow for 2010. I would be more embarrassed if the ceremonies involved an hour of dancing First Nations, being VANOC has put such an emphasis on them. Nobody wants that.

[deasine]

I thought the entire finale was horrible... >__<

[LeftCoaster]

I thought Canada and China rocked the finale... I thought China's contribution to the finale was better than their actual performance. The US team as per usual missed the boat completely, as their fireworks weren't even remotely synched up with their music and there was no discernable theme what so ever.

And David I was right there with you cringing all the way along during that self aggrandizing tripe that the BC 150 team put on... what an embarrassment.

[fever]

I expect the opening ceremonies to be unrelenting cheese. It doesn't matter how much is spent if it reeks like a best place on earth ad. With any luck there will be one thing (just one) worth remembering. That one thing probably won't cost anything.

(I was at the fireworks on Saturday as well, and I agree with David and LCer)

[SpongeG]

yeah but at least vanoc has hired the same company that does all the ceremonies

but me and my friend are imagining leotards and ribbons - lol


a la expoo 86

http://www.bcplacestadium.com/images/big_expo86openingceremonies.jpg
pic from bcplacestadium.com