HSBC Celebration of Light - CANCELLED

[Stingray2004]

Man, this news is a real downer. Perhaps someone else will step up to the plate and save it????

For Immediate Release

February 4, 2009

VANCOUVER’S SIGNATURE SUMMER EVENT COMES TO AN END

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The HSBC Celebration of Light, produced by the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, will be wrapping up its affairs ending 18 great years of Vancouver fireworks and the biggest offshore fireworks competition in the world.

Deemed a Civic Event by the City of Vancouver in 2001, after Benson and Hedges pulled their sponsorship due to federal regulation, the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society and the City partnered together; with the city providing services including Policing, Traffic control and clean‐up and the Society raising the balance of funding and presenting the event free to all who came and watched.

However, over the past eight years, fundraising to keep the fireworks alive for all to enjoy has been a challenge. This year the not for profit society has been unable to retain and add enough sponsorships to meet the event’s $4 million annual in kind and cash budget.

“It has been an exceptional 18 year event – the largest of its kind in the world – and it is a credit to our many exceptional sponsors that we kept the event going year after year. However, the current financial situation makes it impossible for us to continue. To our sponsors and operational partners, to the City of Vancouver, and most important to the residents and visitors who came each summer to watch the spectacular shows – Thank you!” says Brent MacGregor, Chair of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society.

Mayor Gregor Robertson expressed disappointment that the Celebration of Light will not proceed, as it is such a great family event and noting that the City was prepared to continue its support for the event.

In the past eight years participating countries have included: Canada, USA, China, Spain, Mexico, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden and South Africa. With approximately 350,000 – 400,000 spectators per night, for each of the four nights of the show, the event had an economic impact of over $37 million annually in direct visitor spending.

Major sponsors last year included: The City of Vancouver, HSBC Bank Canada, Tourism Vancouver, Concord Pacific, London Drugs, Starlight Casino, BC150, BC Hydro and YVR Airport Authority.

The Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society is a non‐profit organization created in 2001 to produce and manage the HSBC Celebration of Light. The HSBC Celebration of Light Fireworks is one of the most renowned international
fireworks competitions in the world, and Vancouver’s signature free, family, fun summer event.

For more information, photos and/or interviews, please contact:
Zirka Reshitnyk, Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society
Tel.: 604‐642‐6835 Fax: 604‐608‐4452 Cell: 778‐991‐6733
E‐mail: zirka@celebration‐of‐light.com

http://www.celebration-of-light.com/_pdf/release_2009-02-04_2009_fireworks.pdf

[AlexYVR]

Man, and I thought we weren't going to get a bigger bummer than Jameson. This is terrible - was my favourite time of year for Van.

[djmk]

sad..... but hey, on the bright side, we have fireworks every night now in this city with all those — going off.

[mr.x]

No-Fun-Couver......yay!

[rather_draconian]

No Way!

[Mininari]

Well thats it. Now I'm NEVER moving back to Vancouver

[Bigtime]

So do they only need to raise 4 million for each year? Or am I missing something here?

I just caught this over at The Calgary Herald online, really crappy news.

Comedy Option: Calgary takes the festival just like how we got the upside down church.

[Yume-sama]

This really —. Talk about a big blow.

SCREW YOU RECESSION!

If it is only $4 million the government should spend the money if it really does create $37 million in spending.

[mr.x]

The recession just got a bit more depressing.

Really, the City and province should step up on this considering how much of an economic impact this event brings to the city. Isn't that exactly what we're looking for anyway? Positive economic impact?

[Metro-One]

You have got to be — kidding me! This is practically the only major event left in Vancouver, this is our big show, our big summer festival! Honestly to say i am pissed off is an understatement. The government really should fund any shortfalls to keep this event alive. Honestly, what am i to tell my Japanese friends in the coming years?

Friend "So when is the big firework festival in Vancouver, you told me so much about it!"

Me "Sorry, we don't do that anymore."

Friend "Ok, but there is still an amusement park we can go to right?"

Me "Umm, no, it has been converted into a nature park, but there is still a roller-coaster...that should last 90 seconds."

Friend "How many people live in metro-Vancouver?"

Me "Around 2.3 million, even more when you consider the close proximity of Abbotsford and area"

Friend "Huh, are they all retired?"

Well at least al the condo owners will be happy, no more noise in the summer

Also on the bright side i guess if the C-Line opens in early August we don't have to worry about overcrowding

See this is the problem with Vancouver, it is not that it is a no fun city, but that it is actually becoming a less fun city! Instead of gaining entertainment venues and festivals, we are losing them! The exact opposite of what should be happening in a growing city that is emerging on the world stage.

Just throw 5 — rings around the barge and throw some Olympic money at it!

[Stingray2004]

I don't think we should be throwing in the towel just yet. Didn't the same funding problems arise at this time last year?

Perhaps a Pattison Group company such as Overwaitea/Buy-Low Foods or Ripley/Guinness World Book of Records might come up to the plate.

Perhaps a Vancouver tycoon such as Frank Giustra, who donated $100 million toward a former President Bill Clinton endeavour, might come up to the plate.

I'm just tossing some thoughts around.

[mr.x]

^ they had financial problems last year, but they didn't send out a press release saying it was canceled. The circumstances are quite different this time.

But with enough public pressure, I'm sure they (city and province) will buckle.

[osirisboy]

didnt they say this the last year and the year before that also? and if they dont do it this summer would they continue it in future years? If the problem is not finding sponsers why are they giving up now its on feburary?

(sorry for repeating what other people said, I should have refreshed the page before posting)

[crazyjoeda]

This is unacceptable! They have cancelled the event a few times before but it has always gone ahead. I find it hard to believe that they can't raise $4 million for an event that draws over 100,000 people per night. I'm sure the economic benefits to the city are over $100 million; many people come to Vancouver just to see the fireworks. It would be moronic for the city of Vancouver or BC government to allow one of the largest events of the year to get canceled. Its hard to imagine how lame Vancouver will be with out the fireworks, and while their at it why don't they cancel the Sun Run and PNE?

[Whalleyboy]

translink should do it lol
hell they'll probably make alot if the have a the canada line open in time for it too
i mean you think how many take skytrain out to it each year
now add canada line i'm sure more people are gonna come in

just charge people the full fare prices the nights of it instead of cheaper rates

[Metro-One]

It would be moronic for the city of Vancouver or BC government to allow one of the largest events of the year to get canceled. Its hard to imagine how lame Vancouver will be with out the fireworks, and while their at it why don't they cancel the Sun Run and PNE?

The PNE/Playland is going to be downsized/marginalized.

[ckkelley]

I'm sure that when the economy turns around this event will be resurrected. In the meantime, yes, we'll enjoy the lack of hooliganism.

[mezzanine]

—. This is the closest thing Vancouver has to an annual tradition, I think it has been running for the past 18 years. I'll miss the vast tide of humanity walking up davie/robson after the fireworks.

The COV is fighting over how much to increase property tax, and the Province will run a deficit. Most businesses are hunkering down for the recession (how much bigger can you get as HSBC?) I do hope and expect it will come back in future years.

[Metro-One]

In the meantime, yes, we'll enjoy the lack of hooliganism.

sorry, but i find this attitude to be typical of Vancouver NIMBYs. It is true that if we had no public events, festivals or celebration there would be a reduction in hooligansim, but then what a boring place to be...

[ckkelley]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

sorry, but i find this attitude to be typical of Vancouver NIMBYs. It is true that if we had no public events, festivals or celebration there would be a reduction in hooligansim, but then what a boring place to be...

Nothing to be sorry about. I have a different opinion. Maybe Burnaby will assume the festival.