The Canada Day fireworks will go ahead after the City of Calgary has secured a location to shoot off an aerial display.
Last month, the City of Calgary made the decision to eliminate the aerial fireworks display during City Canada Day celebrations in favour of a variety of activities at Fort Calgary. Those activities would have included a stage-level pyrotechnics show (and still will).
After public frustration, the introduction of a notice of motion signed by 10 councillors and a local online petition that reached more than 13,000 names, the City of Calgary reversed course, reintroducing aerial fireworks to the Canada Day celebrations.
In Thursday’s Executive Committee meeting, City Manager David Duckworth offered an apology for how the situation was handled.
“First, I would personally like to apologize to Calgarians, to council, to administration,” Duckworth said.
“What we were expecting to be a good news story and how we were going to celebrate Canada Day at Fort Calgary turned into something much different.”
Duckworth said they heard from thousands of Calgarians that said an aerial fireworks display was important to them.
Fort Calgary events will still go on as planned, however the aerial show will be added.
Duckworth said that the fireworks would be launched from the Calgary Stampede site. Viewing won’t be allowed on directly at that site because the Calgary Stampede will be preparing for this year’s event. The fireworks can be viewed from around that area.
The decision warranted the withdrawal of the notice of motion that had been proposed.
“That is great news for everybody,” said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp, who led the effort to have the fireworks returned.
“Thank you, administration, for moving very quickly.”
Exact details will be announced closer to the July 1 date. For more information on City of Calgary Canada Day programming, visit their website.
