Vancouver sky explodes with China fireworks 'Storm' English, tonight, Chinese

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Vancouver sky explodes with China fireworks 'Storm'
  
Fireworks brightened the cloudy skies above English Bay tonight, as China kicked off the Celebration of Light with a dramatic show.


Cheering crowds gathered at the beach were awed by the performance, called "China Storm" and put on by 2008's winning Chinese pyrotechnic team.


"The finale was so cool," said Tommy Hook, 24, visiting from Sweden. He saw China's performance last year and said it was bigger and better this year.


"The fireworks they used were really different this year, really original."


The beach was packed with people enjoying the warm weather, swimming and relaxing on picnic blankets, several hours before the show. Even as it began to drizzle in the evening, dedicated fireworks watchers stayed put.


Linda Malone, a West End resident in her 60s, said she had been coming to English Bay to watch the fireworks for 11 years even though she lives just a few blocks away.


She and friends June Orchard and Gil Calhoun staked out their spot on the grass at 3:45 p.m.


"We even sat out here during a huge thunderstorm one year," Malone said. "There was lightning and pouring rain... but hardly anyone left."

In previous years, those who nabbed space on the crowded beachfront had the best seats in the house. This year, new paid bleacher seats provided perfect sightlines of the show.


But Malone said she would rather watch the show with everyone gathered on the grass.


"You wouldn't get the same crowd experience," she said, adding that she had never had a problem with rowdy people.


As the sun set, the crowd became noisier and police could be seen pouring out bottles of booze. But as the first notes of China's theme music started, the crowd was mesmerized.


The performance was inspired by the traditional Chinese calendar and meant to provide a trip through the year of the rabbit.


Ricky Chiang, a Vancouver resident watching with his Korean exchange group, said China was a very strong contender.

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"Every country's performance is different and gives you a little taste of the culture," he said. "The Chinese music is very distinctive and festive."


The event suffered from a lack of washroom facilities, as line-ups for porta-potties took up to 20 minutes.


The increased police presence was clearly visible, as many officers in uniform patrolled the crowds. Const. Lindsey Houghton said police poured out 500 bottles of booze.


"Our very public messaging about liquor clearly did not work," he said. "People continue to bring alcohol to this event and it's not acceptable."


He said police seized 13 weapons, including several pairs of brass knuckles, bear spray and even an ice pick.


Despite this, he said it was a successful night for police and there were no major incidents.


The next fireworks display will be hosted by Spain on Wednesday, followed by Canada on Saturday.


China dazzles the crowds at English Bay in downtown Vancouver with their display of fireworks for the Celebration of Light on Saturday





Canada performs with its tribute to China during Celebration of Light fireworks in Vancouver.

rainbow-davie

yes. it was good.  especially there were few new types and the ending was AWESOME!