Atomic super-monster Godzilla will rise from the slate-grey waters of English Bay and light up the sky with fire tonight with the kick-off of Vancouver’s signature summer festival, the HSBC Celebration of Light.
The two-week fireworks festival begins at 10 p.m. with last year’s winner Canada seeking to defend its title with a 25-minute Godzilla-inspired show, complete with songs from the original Japanese movies.
“The title of the show is Attack,” said Kelly Guille, owner of Archangel Fireworks and co-designer of Canada’s effort.
“It’s the rise of Godzilla from the sea. The fall of the army and the regrouping.”
About 350,000 people, watching from boats or from beaches, parks and apartments are expected to watch tonight’s show.
Maude Furtado, co-producer of the fireworks display, ballparked the cost of a single display at around $200,000.
In all, 1.4-million people are expected to watch Canada, USA (July 26) and China (July 30) as they vie for the festival’s best show and people’s choice. Spectators can vote on the latter with their cellphones.
The Grande Finale, featuring all three countries, runs Aug. 2 and will be preceded by an eight-minute fireworks display celebrating B.C.’s 150 anniversary.
Road closures for the event begin in Kitsilano at 6 p.m. and West End 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver police will be patrolling the water and shore with crowd-control, mounted, bike and marine units.
“We’ll have lots of officers on foot patrol, highly visible in reflective vests,” said Const. Jana McGuinness. “There’ll be no confusion as to who we are.”
As well, police from Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities will be conducting a boat checks at various boat launches across the region to ensure that the vessels are equipped with the proper safety equipment.
