No shortage of fun at Celebration of Light
1 The competition
Who celebrates light the best? Returning Celebration of Light winners (2004 and 2005) Sweden (Aug. 1) take on South Africa (July 28) and South Korea (Aug. 4) in a pyrotechnic winnertake-all.
2 Music
As in past years, Celebration of Light offers plenty of (free) musical performances on Second Beach. Among this year’s performers are singer/ songwriter Ashleigh Ball of Vancouver indie-pop group Hey Ocean!, Toronto R’n’B sensation Jully Black, Montreal electro-soul/hiphop nine-piece Busty and the Bass, and local brother/
sister duo Sister Says. Second Beach also features a Family Zone, with facepainting, games and more.
3 Food trucks
Servicing the hungry hordes are Vancouver favourites with everything from hotdogs to japadogs to other kinds of dogs. Plus, poutine. Trucks will be located at English Bay along Beach Avenue and the Park Stage at Second Beach.
4 Ticketed options
Escape the hordes by purchasing tickets for The Keg Lounge, Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk (which also features a live DJ and barbecue), or YVR Business Class Cabanas. Tickets are also available to watch the fireworks from the bleacher-style YVR Observation Deck on English Bay (an all-ages licensed area with seats
in an alcohol-free zone available by request).
5 Pete McLeod air show
Back for the first time since 2013, McLeod’s air show features low-level aerobatic routines that keep viewers on the edges of their seats. On Aug. 1, McLeod will be joined by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.