There’s an upside and a downside to this event. The upside is that if you like fireworks, this is a dream event: on four separate days, three nations compete against each other with displays of the newest, cutting-edge pyrotechnical devices. The downside is that the average annual attendance is 1.4 million people, which breaks down to 350,000 people descending upon the beaches of English Bay in Vancouver for each 25 minute show. My guess is that if you thought the traffic for the Haggen show over Bellingham bay was a hassle - well you ain’t seen nothing, yet….

There are four different events, and each is choreographed to a music simulcast that begins on 101.1 FM at 10:00pm. They will take place, rain or shine.

• Wed. July 23, 10:00pm: Canadian presentation. Theme “Attack”
  

• Sat. July 26, 10:00pm: United States presentation. Theme: “Love Will Change the World.”

• Wed July 30, 10:00pm: China’s presentation. Theme: “Power of the Dream”

• Sat Aug. 2, 10:00 pm: Canada, USA & China: Theme: “Grand Finale” - Fireworks & Soundscapes celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia.

Best viewing points: English Bay Park [map], Vanier Park [map], Jericho Beach Park [map], West Vancouver [map].

For more information, see the official website.

Addendum: After writing this post I was talking to my brother, who mentioned that he went to this event a few years ago. He said it was like a “sea of people” in which he and his friend were floating, that “you couldn’t go where you wished, you were just carried along with the swell….and if you’re with someone like I was, you hold onto them for dear life, or you’ll get separated for sure.”

I think it’s important that I include this. This event is definitely not my shtick, but some people have no problem braving a situation like this. Either way, forewarned is forearmed.