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June 26, 2015 - 8:30 AM
KELOWNA – The annual Canada Day fireworks in Tugboat Bay will go ahead as planned despite the extreme risk of fire issued by Wildfire B.C.
Festivals Kelowna executive director Renata Mills says one of the benefits of holding the celebration over Okanagan Lake is dry conditions don’t put forests or structures at risk.
“The obvious benefit of having fireworks over a lake is that there is a huge bucket of water underneath,” she says. “They’re quite a ways out on the lake so there is no fire danger.”
She says Kelowna is one of the last cities which still puts on a fireworks show choreographed to music.
“We try to build it around primarily Canadian music,” she says. “We try and change the music every year but it’s an interesting dance which has to be done by the choreographer. They know what songs will or won’t work. I come in with a list of great songs I think will be a great fit but the guy says ‘no, I’ve tried those, they’re really hard to time to’.”
The show lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and starts at 10:30 p.m.
Fireworks cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per minute to produce.
“It’s not a cheap venture," Mills says.
The Canada Day fireworks are sponsored by Tolko, Skyline Fireworks, the City of Kelowna and Festivals Kelowna.
Environment Canada is forecasting highs of 36 C July 1 so Mills wants to remind people to plan accordingly.
“Because of the heat wave people should be smart about the day. Bring water, bring hats and sunscreen.”
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015