We started off Canada Day celebrating with fire works and we ended it the same way. This year we had the privilege of seeing two sets of fireworks in two different cities. In Grande Prairie, because it is so far north and there are traces of light still after midnight, they hold their fireworks at midnight, as June 30th just turns into July 1st. For those of you (like my wife) who don't count the turning of one day into the next until after you go to bed and sleep then it would still be June 30th for you. We had a great time as a family watching the display of colour and the surround sound booms of the firecrackers. Because of where they choose to set of the fireworks there is an echo of the sound from several different places behind you as you watch--it was actually a very interesting experience. Also, it was Oakley's first firecracker experience and she handled it quite well for a one year old. She sat on my lap and watched the brilliant colours explode and dance across the sky with little more than some scared whimpers from time to time.
Later that day, after we slept and it was "officially" Canada Day, we drove to Edson to visit my in-laws. That night we went to see the fireworks in Edson. Both nights were spectacular with perfect weather and good crowds of people out to celebrate Canada's Birthday. Overall, I would say that the display put on by Edson was the better show, particularly because of their finale, which was sorely lacking from the show in Grande Prairie. However, I must applaud the city of Grande Prairie for taking in the needs of their citizens. They had RCMP there keeping things in check (who also proved helpful in letting us know where the fireworks would be taking place and the best place for a family to sit, they gave a 10 minute and 5 minute warning before the event, and they began exactly on time (unlike Edson who was a good 15 minutes behind schedule and provided no indication that they were even going to begin sometime soon.)
The day was a fun one and I am glad that municipalities around our province and country take the time and money to provide this celebration.
An Insiders Look at the Author
- Jonathan D. Groff
- Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
- Married to the most wonderful woman, Father of four, A teacher.
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1 comment:
We also get to benefit from two sets of fireworks in the first week of July without having to travel anywhere. Being a border town(Ontario-Minnesota) we get fireworks on July 1 and July 4. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the U.S. ones this year because we were in Winnipeg.
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