Posted on behalf of Harold Munro
Those nautical shells that exploded on the water in front of the barge during tonight's fireworks show by Team Canada requires careful planning.
The shells are packed and weighted to explode 100 feet from the barge — about 900 feet from the crowded beach.
And they did tonight with great effect.
Miscalculate with weight or power and a shell can wind up on the beach.
Posted on behalf of Harold Munro
Team Canada opens with a "Wiz"-bang of a show. True to the promised Wizard of Oz theme.
Lots of smoke here at English Bay. Can't recall this much smoke from previous years. No wind which must have been one reason. Also, they busted out a lot of shells.
Posted on behalf of Harold Munro
Organizers say to expect a really big show from Team Canada shortly. They packed mucho shells. Soon to go boom.
Mounties in red serge just walked me and the rest of the judges to the bathhouse.
Posted on behalf of Harold Munro
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings just took the stage atop the Bathhouse. Sit back, relax and enjoy the pre-fireworks concert. Very cool jackets.
SHORE 104 FM is handing out 3-D glasses to the fireworks crowd?
Just about an hour away from what promises to be a great addition to the annual fireworks spectacular.
There will be acoustic performances by two or three bands each fireworks night on the Bathhouse roof in English Bay starting at 6:30 p.m.
If you can't make it to the beach, each concert will be simulcast on SHORE 104 FM.
Tonight watch for Hannah Georgas (6:30 p.m.), Canadian roots group Blackie & The Rodeo Kings (7 p.m.) and Jim Byrnes (8 p.m.).
Think you've got this fireworks thing figured out?
You can text "LIGHT" to 100100 on your cell phone to rate tonight's fireworks performance by Team Canada and all subsequent shows.
Rate on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest). The scores will be talliedto determine a People’s Choice. You will be entered to win a $2,500 London Drugs gift carr every time you text.
The judging manual for this year's HSBC Celebration fo Light arrived in the newsroom today. I'm honoured to be back for a second year as a judge.
I can tell you, based on last year's experience, that we take our duty very seriously. The competitors invest considerable time and expense in putting on these fireworks extravaganzas.
The manual includes score sheets for the four nights. Judges must rate each performance at the end of each night based on 5 criteria: general presentation, variety of colour, originality, rhythm/volume of effects, choice of music/synchonization of the fireworks with music.
Team Canada is up first at English Bay on Wednesday night with an ode to the Wizard of Oz.