West End rep thrilled Celebration of Light fireworks competition is back on

Rory Richards, a board member of the West End Residents Association, has said she’s happy the four-night, 400,000-person Celebration of Light is back in her hood.

“Personally, I was thrilled, surprised, happy,” Richards told the Straight, after a coalition of businesses including the Keg agreed to take care of a $500,000 shortfall in funding needed to hold the event.

“It’s always been a very mixed bag [of opinion on the fireworks] with residents in the West End. We’ve always had a very unique relationship with public space, given that we’re one of the most densely populated areas in North America....It is a big sacrifice for West End residents to make,” she said, referring to the crowds, the noise, the parking problems, the restricted-access streets, and other issues.

“Generally, we’ve been very gracious about it. We hope people who are coming are respectful of the neighbourhood.”

Richards said that “the majority of people are thrilled” the fireworks are back.