The Sunset Inn hotel and the West End is getting ready for the return of the annual Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks display.
The first of 3 displays begins on Saturday July 26th with two more following on Wednesday July 30th and Saturday August 2nd which is also Pride Weekend in the district, this spectacular pyrotechnic display that is a staple in the Vancouver Festival calender lights up the sky at English Bay.
The fireworks displays are an actual competition and each year a different country is chosen to create an impressive display all in sync to the music of their choice. Previous participants have used creative ideas such as James Bond theme and The Wizard of Oz film which was fantastic.
This is an event that is by far one of the most popular in Vancouver, and for all those who live in the West End we see this as the true beginning of summer and its time for the West End to show off and party in the gorgeous Summer weather.
Shorefest at Sunset Beach
Not only are we treated to a late evening display there is a live music festival that begins at 2pm down at Sunset Beach which is only a five minute walk away from us. This is a great day out and best of all it is free and runs up until the fireworks display.
The bands are really really good and in the past we have been treated to great live music from well known bands such as The Trews and The Barenaked Ladies to name but a few.
Please click the following link to know what to expect: http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/artists/shorefest-2014
Celebration of light website:http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/
Sunset Suggestion and tips!
We always suggest that you head straight down to the Beach via the seawall on Thurlow Street to Sunset Beach and towards English Bay…..you do not have to be right at English Bay to see the display, it will be pretty crazy and crowded and if anything Sunset Beach will be quieter with an amazing vantage point, try and go early as there will be plenty of entertainment to occupy you before the big show shoots into the sky at 10pm.
Road Closures at 4pm
This is a major event in the city, and with any huge event such as this you will have to expect road closures, so, we do strongly suggest that if you do have a vehicle this will be the best day to leave it at the hotel, the West End completely shuts down for traffic at around 4pm, so the streets can let around half a million people migrate through the West End towards English Bay.
Click on this link to see the Map of the event road closures – you will see that we are in the closure zone at Burnaby St and Thurlow St. https://www.dropbox.com/s/b6qx1bwbpgwhpoq/HCOL2014%20FINAL%20Site%20map%20with%20flags.pdf
Natural display rivals the fireworks!
In 2009 during the South African display at the celebration of light, a very rare strong thunderstorm moved over the city and very nearly upstaged the event itself, I believe the footage will speak for itself…..the first is a timelapse of the day which is pretty breathtaking, the second video is the full display itself…enjoy!
