VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Although the fireworks will not start bursting until 10:00 tonight, organizers of the Celebration of Light say you don’t have to wait until them for some entertainment.
If you can get the kids organized and out the door this afternoon, you can enjoy quite a bit of free family fun.
Heather Sharpe, the producer of Celebration of Light, says activities begin at Sunset Beach at 2:00.
She says there will be bouncy castles, face painters, games and free giveaways.
Sharpe says later in the evening, there will live music to entertain the crowds.
“When things start kicking off on our stages we have two, one at Sunset Beach and the other one at English Bay, and those bands go at 7:30 and 9:30.”
Team USA’s 25 minute fireworks show will begin at 10:00.
Sharpe tells us what theme we could expect from the Americans.
“It might be a bit of classic rock. I think I heard some Beatles in there, that’s all I could tell you.”
If you would rather not battle the crowds at English Bay and Kits Beach to find the perfect view, there is another option.
Sharpe says for the third year, the YVR observation deck will be open to watch the fireworks from high above, and you can enjoy a glass of wine too.
She says this year is the first time a license to serve alcohol has been issued.
To take in the show from YVR, the tickets cost $50 plus tax.
There are a few etiquette tips to follow if you make your way into the throngs of people.
Blogger Rebecca Bollwitt with Miss 604 says it’s all about not blocking anyone’s view.
“No really high chairs, sometimes you might see the lower chairs that people use, those are okay. Try not to stand in front of the large crowds, you can kind of stand along Beach Avenue, there’s a line of trees and that’s kind of a good area for standing and not getting in anyone else’s way. Of course everyone’s looking up anyway.”
Make sure you know the tides so your blanket doesn’t get soaked, with high tide at English Bay tonight at 7:30 at a height of 14.4 feet.
The Celebration of Light continues Wednesday with Team France, and wraps up next Saturday with Team Japan.