United Kingdom, Canada and Thailand show us what you've got.
Vancouvers beaches and skies will light up again for the 23rd annual Honda Celebration of Light on July 27, July 31 and August 3.
Canada is definitely a crowd favourite, but England and Thailand will be giving them a run for their money, says the Hon. John D. Reynolds, Chairman of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society.
The 2013 Honda Celebration of Light competition will begin each of the three nights promptly at 10pm over English Bay, rain or shine, with barges generously donated by Seaspan. Music simulcast can be heard on SHORE 104.3 FM. The winning country will be announced Monday, August 5.
July 27 United Kingdom; Pyro2000.co.uk
July 31 Canada; FireworksSpectaculars.com
August 3 Thailand; ThailandFirework.net
Other events include...
The temporary Keg Lounge presented by The Keg Steakhouse and Bar will be located on top of the Bath House Roof at English Bay. The Keg Lounge offers guests prime viewing opportunities, delicious food offerings, and intimate music experiences from the English Bay SHOREfest stage, including Juno Award winner Serena Ryder. Proceeds from The Keg Lounge benefit the not for profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society. Tickets are $129 on sale now. Please note: July 31 tickets are already sold out so reserve your spot for July 27 or August 3 soon.
The 2013 event will see the return of the Red Bull Airshow on July 27th and August 3rd with Canadian pilot Pete Mcleod. Pete was the first Canadian to have competed in the prestigious Red Bull Air Show and will be thrilling crowds with a special 10 minute aerobatic display aboard his newly designed Edge 540 Aircraft.
The festivals longest standing partner, Concord Pacific, is teaming up with the festival to produce the first ever Seawall Challenge on July 27, an urban adventure that benefits after-school programs in the Lower Mainland. Teams of four will compete in a series of physical and mental challenges across Vancouvers waterfront, playing for prizes and cash donations to their Lower Mainland School of choice.
After a successful 2012 tournament, the festival is expanding its sport tournament at Sunset Beach, organized by Urban Rec, Vancouvers biggest sport and social club. This includes a Volleyball tournament on Saturday July 27 and Saturday August 3, as well as a Bocce tournament on Wednesday, July 31 all with major prizes to be won. Information and registration will be available closer to the festival at http://www.urbanrec.ca/Vancouver/
Fans of the fireworks can secure reserved seats at the YVR Observation Deck located at English Bay. These convenient seats offer simulcast of the fireworks, prime viewing and portable toilets. Limited Early Bird tickets are $39 and regular priced tickets are $49.
The festival has also partnered with the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association to provide two free tickets with select hotel bookings during the fireworks nights. Hotel packages and tickets on sale now at www.HondaCelebrationofLight.com
West End Street Fest
The festival and the West End BIA have partnered for the first time, working with businesses to create an even more dynamic and inviting experience for festival-goers. WEBIA will host a series of roaming performances along Davie and Denman, provide additional infrastructure and work with area businesses to showcase the neighbourhoods impressive culinary and retail offerings.
The Honda Celebration of Light will also be re-launching the 2013 edition of the Festivals mobile App, in partnership with Shaw. The app will allow festival goers to view artist schedules for SHOREfest, search through an interactive map, vote for their favourite team and listen to the simulcast of the fireworks soundtrack.
