Survival guide for 2010 Celebration of Light fireworks extravaganza

While things were looking dicey last year for Vancouver’s beloved summer tradition, which was saved by new sponsors just in time, this year’s four-day fireworks spectacle is poised to go off without a hitch.

Celebration of Light, now in its 20th year, kicks off tonight with Team USA’s competition entry, a pyrotechnic tribute to ’20s and ’30s swing and the Big Band era. The show will light up English Bay tonight at 10 p.m.

The fireworks festival’s three remaining shows will alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Spain Night on July 25, Mexico Night on July 28, and A Tribute to China on July 31.

Unless you like dealing with road closures, standstill traffic, and nonexistent parking, public transit, cycling, and walking to viewing points are all recommended over driving.

Road closures

From 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the West End and from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Kits Point, car access will be limited to residents who will be asked to show car registration or parking permits.

According to the City of Vancouver’s Web site, residential traffic access to the West End will be at Nelson and Thurlow, Davie and Thurlow, Burnaby and Thurlow, and at Nicola and Robson streets. For residents west of Denman, access is available on Alberni west of Denman.

Residential and commercial traffic in Kits should use Maple and Cypress streets northbound to cross Cornwall to access Kits Point. No access will be permitted from Cornwall. Vehicles towing boats will not be permitted into Kits Point after trailer parking locations have filled at the Vanier Park boat launch.

Transit

From 7:30 p.m. onwards, buses that normally travel into the West End will stop at Burrard and Davie; the #5 Robson will go as far as Robson and Denman and then return via Denman and Georgia. There will be no eastbound service on Robson Street.

Starting at 9 p.m., the #22 Macdonald/Knight will avoid Burrard Bridge and Cornwall Avenue, and be rerouted via 4th Avenue between Granville Bridge and Macdonald in both directions.

For information on SkyTrain Expo and Millennium lines and the Canada Line, including last-train time, service restrictions, and more, visit the TransLink Web site.

Cyclists

Bike valet will be provided free of charge at three separate locations: under the Burrard Bridge (by the Vancouver Aquatic Centre), at the Second Beach parking lot in Stanley Park, and outside of King George Secondary School (at Bidwell and Denman streets)

According to TransLink, bikes will not be allowed on any SkyTrain line leaving from downtown from 10 p.m. until the lineups have cleared, so don’t count on getting your bike home at all unless you’re riding it.

Parking

Wheelchair-accessible parking will be available before 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at Bidwell and Burnaby streets, on Beach Avenue across from lawn bowling, at the Parks Board Administration Office, and at the parking lot located at Arbutus and McNicholl.

Good luck to the rest of you.

What to bring

Shore 104.3 FM will be broadcasting each show’s soundtrack. Bring along a small set of speakers or MP3 player with FM/AM frequency to listen along.

You’ll want blankets, towels, or low chairs to sit on.

Sunscreen, food, and drinks are a good idea for the wait. Alcohol in Vancouver parks is strictly prohibited, so if you’re watching from Kitsilano Beach, Vanier Park, Sunset Beach, or Stanley Park, instead of a high-rise or yacht, you’ll have to make your own fun. If you’ve ever been to the event before, you know that the organizers mean business and that checks will be enforced.

Bring return fare bought in advance if you’re planning on taking public transit home.

Viewing spots

The insanely popular Celebration of Light attracts hundreds of thousands spectators every year. Wherever you end up, there’s not really a way for you to watch the fireworks without getting a mouth full of mob. I hear the walkways of bridges make for good viewing, though.

It might be too late for tonight, but if you’re on the ball for the next shows, you can reserve in advance for Celebration of Light’s BBQ on the Bathhouse. Tickets include a seat from the Bathhouse roof in English Bay, one drink, and either a salmon, veggie, or beef burger.

Next Wednesday (July 28), the Museum of Vancouver in Vanier Park will be hosting the Big Bang, a fundraiser for the museum’s youth and family programs, hosted by Andy Yan of Bing Thom Architects and featuring a cash bar. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

And if you like your Shakespeare with a side of things exploding, Bard on the Beach and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre also offer a fundraiser with Vanier Park viewing. The Bard-B-Q & Fireworks evening includes a performance of either Much Ado About Nothing or Falstaff, an intermission with a salmon barbecue, and coffee and treats served during the fireworks.