Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16 people in downtown Vancouver got a bit of a surprise.
While it had been forewarned in a single tweet from the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC), most people were unprepared for the 10-minute fireworks display that took place over the Burrard Inlet. In an email to Vancouver Is Awesome the VCC notes the display was for a client of theirs but organized independently.
"The Vancouver Convention Centre was not involved in the approval of last night’s firework display, it was coordinated by a client of the Convention Centre," notes the VCC. "While it was organized independently, recognizing public interest in fireworks and the proximity to our venue, the Vancouver Convention Centre provided notice to nearby residential towers and on social media."
Some who spotted the fireworks were glad to see the display, but many on social media were unhappy with the surprise, notably the loud booms that echoed into the city.
"Glad the fireworks are banned in #Vancouver those drones are doing such a nice job I could swear it is real fireworks. #sarcasm" noted one person on Twitter.
"Love that we are now back in the before-COVID times in Vancouver of 'what professional conference has the city permitted to have a fireworks show?'" noted another.
Many others shared similar sentiments.
Surprise fireworks tonight in Vancouver. #yvr pic.twitter.com/QaZqSvoqw4
— Kelsey Hannan (@Kelsoh) August 17, 2022
Big surprise fireworks show on the Coal Harbour waterfront for a private event at Vancouver Convention Centre. 🎆 pic.twitter.com/RkgCMlS4RY
— Eri (@Eri_egh) August 17, 2022
The convention centre noted in its tweet that the fireworks were a part of a private event and independently organized. In the past conferences have fired off fireworks at the end of their event.
However, in its schedule of events for August at the VCC, no conferences are listed.
While uncommon, private fireworks events are permitted in Vancouver.
