Flashy fireworks start at 20:17 New Year’s Eve
The federal government is planning to usher in Canada’s sesquicentennial year with not just one, but two, splashy fireworks displays in downtown Ottawa this New Year’s Eve — including one that is expected to create a stunning waterfall effect along the Alexandra Bridge.
According to a tender posted this week by the Department of Canadian Heritage, one will be a “pyromusical fireworks display” lasting 20 minutes or more, part of an as-yet unannounced Canada 150 kickoff event on Parliament Hill. It’s set to begin at 8:17 p.m. (20:17 ... get it?) on Dec. 31.
The other will be a more traditional five-minute fireworks display at midnight, launched from Nepean Point.
New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Hill were annual events from 1985 until 1992, when the National Capital Commission cancelled them for budgetary reasons.
Since then, the only significant New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the capital were at the turn of the millennium in 1999 and in 2007, when Ottawa celebrated the 150th anniversary of its selection as Canada’s capital.
The display on Dec. 31 promises to be a doozy, with pyrotechnics launched from Nepean Point, the Alexandra Bridge’s pedestrian boardwalk, the recreational path along the Ottawa River behind Parliament Hill and the roof of Parliament’s Centre Block.
The waterfall effect, which must be 1,000 feet long, will be fired from the Alexandra Bridge. The fireworks will be attached to the posts of the boardwalk using strings or other material that won’t damage the structure or paint.
While spectators are marvelling at the waterfall effect, fireworks will also be ignited on the roof of the Centre Block for those on Parliament Hill who won’t be able to see the bridge display. They will be smaller-scale pyrotechnics, typically used to create special effects.
Those launched from Nepean Point and the Ottawa River recreational path will be larger pyrotechnics visible from a great distance, such as bombshells, large wheels, barrages, waterfalls and mines.
The whole colourful cacophony will be synchronized to a soundtrack of music by multiple Canadian artists from various musical styles — drawn equally from English and French performers.
It’s all meant to showcase Canada’s history, the tender document says, and “create a lasting memory of a once-in-a-generation opportunity where (viewers) ‘travel’ through Canada’s history over the last 150 years.”
Organizers will have to hope for good weather. No fireworks can be launched if the wind is stronger than 45 kilometres an hour, the tender document says, and even if winds are weak, “consideration should be given to cancelling certain larger shells in case of risks.”
Officials at Canadian Heritage wouldn’t elaborate on the New Year’s Eve plans. “Dec. 31 will be a big celebration in Ottawa,” said Pierre- Olivier Herbert, press secretary to Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly. “That’s the only thing I can tell you.”
On Thursday, Joly presided over a ceremony on a scalding-hot plaza outside the Canadian Museum of History marking the start of the 150-day countdown to the official launch of the 2017 celebrations.
Inuit throat singers performed, a troupe of dancers shimmied and shook, and four poets recited original works reflecting Canada 150 themes: diversity and inclusiveness, young people, the environment and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
“We want you to show us and tell us what makes you proud to be a Canadian,” Joly told spectators.