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First night of Celebration of Light
First night of Celebration of Light
Police warning people to leave any alcohol at home
Tanya Fletcher/Dan Burritt Jul 30, 2011 07:35:59 AM
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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The Celebration of Light starts tonight, but there will be some noticeable changes to this year's international fireworks competition.
"This is actually the first year that we're holding the event over three nights rather than four," says organizer Andrea Dowd-Dever.
They're also introducing paid bleacher seating for the first time at $35 a pop. And there is also a vendor village and some new green initiatives.
"Well, certainly China has a reputation for the size of its shows and the kind of 'awe' factor."
Up to 350,000 spectators from all over the continent will crowd onto English Bay each night. "So, over one million people for three nights. We do find the majority coming from the Lower Mainland, but a lot of our visitors do come from the States and a lot of them come just to see the Celebration of Light."
This is the world's largest offshore international fireworks competition, now running into its 21st year. China is up first tonight at 10 p.m., followed by Spain on Wednesday and Canada next Saturday.
Leave the booze at home
Transit Police are warning you not to bring liquor onto SkyTrain if you're heading to the fireworks competition tonight.
Earlier this week, police announced an increase in security at the Celebration of Light, in the wake of last month's Stanley Cup riot.
Transit Police officers were criticized for not doing more to stop the flow of liquor and drunk people into Downtown Vancouver during the June smash-up, but the force says it did its best despite crush-loaded trains.
Acting Chief Andy Hobbs says more officers will be out in force for the fireworks. "The emphasis for us will be providing a safe environment and a large part of that will be monitoring people's behaviour in terms of causing a disturbance but also clearly liquor interdiction is going to be a major part of what we're doing."
Police add if officers pick up a person under 19 for drinking, their parents can expect a call |
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發表於 2011-7-30 07:42
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