Vancouver's long-running Celebration of Light will be back this year in a reduced three-night performance that will feature a "battle of the champions."
China, Spain and Canada, the last three winners, will light up the skies over English Bay starting Saturday, July 30, and continuing August 3rd and 6th.
This will also be the first year the fireworks festival, now in its 21st year, will charge $45 for 750 reserved bleacher seats.
The festival in recent years has suffered from financial troubles and lack of sponsorship. But Brent McGregor, the retiring president of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, and John Reynolds, the incoming president, said they expect to sign a number of new sponsors in coming weeks.
The festival is a summer tradition that draws over one million people annually and pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. This year the society decided to cut the first Wednesday night performance in part due to finances and also to fit in with the theme of a three-way battle of previous winners, McGregor said.
The festival's overall budget is about $4 million, much of it contributions. McGregor said the group has to raise about $1 million in cash and will reach its target.
One of the largest contributions comes from the city in the form of donated policing and sanitation services. Last year Vancouver taxpayers provided about $800,000 in services, Coun. Raymond Louie, the city's finance committee chairman said. This year the city's costs will be closer to $700,000.
Mayor Gregor Robertson said there will be an increased emphasis on reducing traffic. The city will also provide more recycling and garbage bins to help fans meet the city's "zero waste" goal.
The show, which will be simulcast with music on Shore 104.3 FM, will start at 10 p.m. July 30 with China's "24 Seasons of the Solar Year." Spain will follow on August 3 with "Odyssey" and Canada will conclude on Aug. 6 with "Then and Now." The winner will be announced Aug. 8.