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Post by pyrot on Apr 11, 2020 0:24:36 GMT -5
So, Montreal officially cancelled the 36th addition of L'international des Feux loto Quebec (laronde) yesterday, and now today Casino Lac leamy (gateneau) also officially cancelled.
Anyone heard anything regarding any Canada Day shows yet this year ?
The company I shoot with for Canada day had already lost a couple of the smaller shows, due to the economic recession here in Alberta, but still no word yet on the others, including the one I'm supposed to supervise. I'm hopefull it will still be a go, but I think its a bit early to guess yet - although the City of Calgary has already cancelled all public events up to June 30, and is looking closely at the stampede, which starts in the first week of July.
This could turn out to be a major blow to many smaller, and even some larger companies that rely on Canada day!
I'm also being very positive and hopeful that Globalfest inCalgary will still be on, Just because last year was the first year since 2005 that I didn't get to attend any of the shows, and I've already purchased the full event passes for myself and family for this year - as it is going to be a good one - if it happens!
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Post by pyrot on Apr 11, 2020 0:40:27 GMT -5
Also, A good friend of mine (actually a former girlfriend's mother) passed away suddenly back in the end of February, and the family asked me if I could do a small 1.4g show for her memorial service, which was going to be held on the may long weekend. Of course, me being me, said there's no such thing as a small show, and don't worry about cost - I would foot the bill for it. I had already started "stockpiling up product for it, and also have a fairly large order coming in once things resume, But the service and show has been put on hold for now, due to gathering size restrictions as well as travel restrictions for people coming in for it. They tentatively want to do it sometime in July now, though that could be a bad time for fireworks as there are usually fire bans in place by then!
I am very seriously considering starting to use up some of the stash now, just to bring some joy and delight for the residents of my community!
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Post by londonfan on Apr 11, 2020 11:15:17 GMT -5
The Covid timelines discussed in the news over the last couple of days seem to but the next (smaller)wave pretty much around Canada Day.
I hate to say it, but it doesn't look good for the big shows. Maybe there will be lots of small neighbourhood things going on, where people can still keep some distance, but enjoy watching some fireworks.
I've been thinking about this very issue over the last few days, and I think it would be neat if all of the government levels would kind of green light a weekend of block parties and big events to celebrate when this is all cleared up. Not a crazy free for all like what happens in the city parks down in the States, but something Canadianized to make it reasonable and fun. Even if it happens next February, I thing everybody would enjoy it. (I guess the February winds would really suck though!)
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Post by markhampyro on Apr 11, 2020 16:09:37 GMT -5
I can’t go ahead with my annual May long weekend show. But plan on doing it whenever things gets lifted. It’s gonna happen...just don’t know when.
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Post by pyrotechsupply on Apr 20, 2020 11:23:06 GMT -5
It looks like the rules for living, interactions etc will change greatly and maybe forever as far as we know it. That is yet to be determined. We might have to look at new ways to have to set up shows including protection of all apprentices and staff at events and then the next will be if events will be allowed outdoor at all. This virus has no plans on packing up and going home so we might very well have to wait till the gov releases rules and laws moving forward. If you think life is going back to how it was 2 months ago any time soon.... think again.
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Post by bullean on Apr 21, 2020 3:37:48 GMT -5
Random thought
and I don't think this wouldn't work for larger urban centers like Toronto or Calgary etc.
But for some of the smaller ones like Boldt (6000 people) It may be possible to do a decentralized/ approved guerilla display
Instead of having everything in one big display, utilize a bit more 1.4 and do smaller parts of shows around the town/city individually on same night
Small crews sets up, two+ crews leap frog for shooting and then a teardown crew(s)
I realize a bit more coordination and planning needed
But may be a way to help lift spirits the way stuff is going
But is a random idea during this hectic time, I may have to head out to the farm and fire off a few for testing purposes though
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Post by bigtop on Apr 21, 2020 10:07:41 GMT -5
Social distancing will only slow the spread of the virus. There will be no way to open back up without a resurgence of Covid-19 until all the population has been infected and gets immunity if it exists. We need to start doing something different. We need only to look to countries that have been more successful at getting their economies going again. The only way I see this happening is from a grass roots movement. We need to start asking our governments to take different actions. Start saying the idea to others to make people see there is a faster way to get life back to normal. That is how to get a grass roots movement going. Start asking our governments why they have not managed the outbreak as well as other countries. Just look around the world and see what worked. Tiawan 23.7 million mostly in densely populated cities has never stopped working and going to school. 495 cases now and only 6 deaths. www.cdc.gov.tw/En This is a free and democratic capitalist country with no censorship on it's media. There are many countries that have defeated the pandemic in their countries by doing different things. It is/was however you see it a lie that masks do not help stop transmission of the virus. The focus should be on procuring and manufacturing enough masks for the public and then make it a law that everyone must wear one in public. Current Science shows that at least 50% of cases are asymptomatic. The way to beat this virus is mask up, sector off, Test temperature, covid and covid antibody and isolate active cases whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. This has been proven. We just have to stop being polite Canadians and enact the Emergency Measures Act to give the sweeping powers to enforce the quarantine and other measures Canada Wide. We could kick this viruses ass in 6 weeks and recover our economy. You only have to look at the countries that have done this to see that it works. Also I must comment "Flatten the Curve" what kind of weak messaging is that. Is it a line from a Beach Boys song? how about "Stay home save lives" "wear a mask so you don't kill your mom". Okay so I know the second one will never be used but those are the kinds of ideas that need to be made clear to all Canadians. In the populations there are people with all levels of intellectual ability. Messaging has to be simple and direct to be understood by all. |
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Post by londonfan on Apr 21, 2020 14:41:18 GMT -5
I don't want to argue with any one, partially because there are too many conflicting streams of information, and also because not being a disease expert, I have to develop my opinion based on the information I have balanced against my beliefs on what has happened and is happening. I also think that being too forceful with opinions when not face to face creates misunderstandings which only lead to bad relations. So What I will say: - Yep, we need to do something different - According to Marketplace on the CBC, Tiawan did shut down months ago (I'm thinking December). What did they see that the rest of the world didn't? Their borders are still shut down to incoming travel, but internally they are up and running with lots of protocols. - It has been reported that Covid-19, though unnamed, was happening in China in November. Why were we (collective)so asleep at the switch? - Pretty sure it was Jan and Dean  |
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Post by bigtop on Apr 21, 2020 15:43:12 GMT -5
I get your point about being forceful and I don't want to argue. My intent is to introduce some new ideas that might save lives and our economy. Most information out there in Canada is let's just wait this out. I am saying there is another way to get past this faster and get functional again. You are right. Taiwan did shut down for two additional weeks after their usual 2 week winter break. I should have researched more carefully. Even so they have smoked us at handling this outbreak Also your comment "Why were we (collective)so asleep at the switch?" is right on point. Have a look at what Alberta did to get themselves ready with PPE nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/david-staples-masterminds-behind-albertas-medical-supplies-surge-to-meet-covid-19-crisis/wcm/9a6632ff-12c3-4472-9780-6bb363330e7fIf we had this kind of competency throughout our governments we would be much better off today. I am saying we need to stop being complacent and start communicating that there is a better way to save lives and get our economy rolling again. Just like any issue that comes to light it starts with talking to another person about it and that person tells another and so on. So if you believe there is a better way start getting your ideas out there. I don't think this is a movement that would be hard to start as everyone wants this to be over. |
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Post by londonfan on Apr 21, 2020 16:13:22 GMT -5
You do realize that you said governments and competency in the same sentence.  I think we pretty much agree on most points. Right now, my biggest problem is that I keep speaking too moistly and I'm running out of screen cleaner! Oh Man, sometimes I kill me! |
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Post by bullean on Apr 21, 2020 16:58:02 GMT -5
In relation to Taiwan's and some other Asian nations response to covid, I believe that culture and traditions helped a bit. Wearing masks for example is a daily occurence prior to the pandemic largely due to the environment and smog. Or shaking hands which is largely a western civilization tradition. Take here where due to our clean air people don't usually wear a face mask unless dead of winter or allergies so harder to get into the shift towards wearing a mask, Not that they do much if you don't know how to don and doff properly. Western civilization is much more a physical hands on type of interaction so sudden paradigm shifts are hard. However we have and are learning and adapting. What has me more worried is the secondary and Tertiary waves If we look back towards the Spanish flu of 1918 we learned quite alot from it. A big one was when San Francisco reopened to quickly and had another big outbreak. So until we have a vaccine it will be a worry and concern. And even after will still be a worry due to mutations Here is a good read from national geographic www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/how-cities-flattened-curve-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-coronavirus/I will say though that Canada is at least doing better than down south, so let's keep it that way and all of you stay safe, and hopefully sane during these times |
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peteys
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Post by peteys on Apr 24, 2020 9:33:54 GMT -5
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-covid-19-2020-announcement-1.5542680First time in almost a century that the Calgary Stampede (including it's giant nightly fireworks/pyrotechnics display) will not happen. Think this is the nail in the coffin for the 2020 summer. I don't see anybody having any large scale fireworks display now until at least August, and even then, I don't see it. I think it will be September before shows start picking up again in any real form. If schools don't get re-opened until then, that will be some sort of mental barrier. What will the fireworks industry look like by that point? Can all the players make it the summer? Can Mystical hold off large amounts of sales and sit on product for the whole summer or are we going to see some fire-sales going?
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Post by felix on Apr 24, 2020 15:18:50 GMT -5
It will be a very interesting and difficult time for anyone in fireworks industry. Importers will be sitting on tons of products. Display companies will have no displays to produce. Display Supervisors/shooters will have nothing to do. Many displays/events are being cancelled, even some in the late fall.
Even when we are permitted to get together in large crowds, will people attend?
Will volunteers sign up to help with the events?
Will events have money from sponsors to hire a fireworks company?
Only time will tell, but it is not looking good.
Both the big and small companies may suffer the end of their business from this pandemic. It is a very sad time for the entertainment industry.
Stay safe.
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Post by pyrot on Apr 25, 2020 5:14:59 GMT -5
Thank you peteys and felix for bringing the thread back to topic. I guess I should have been a little more clear and concise with the thread title !!!!!! It is supposed to be about what will become of 2020's fireworks shows !!! You know, what this forum is about !!
I really don't want to hear any arguments, conspiracy theories, or any such banter about how our government is doing it all wrong. That is not what we are here for. There is enough of that on Facebook!!!!!
Now if you all want to carry on about FIREWORKS, please do. If you want to carry on about what our leaders should be doing etc etc etc, I will simply delete this thread. I can see there is already a ton of mis-information being spread on it !!!! (bigtop - you are definitely NOT from or in ALberta are you - because I can tell you first hand that article you linked to is total BS!!! The Alberta government did nothing of the sort - well other than procure a whole bunch of masks thart turned out to be faulty and are actually making the users of them sick!!!!)
And quite frankly, I don't want to hear a word about our "poor precious economy" either !!!! If you want to know my own honest opinion - I think this is one of the BEST things to happen to the world - our economy as most so love truly wasn't working nor can/could it ever possibly sustain itself in the long run. It needs to change, and this might very well be what changes it!
So, who wants to continue talking about fireworks, and what may happen for 2020???
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Post by huggyd on Apr 25, 2020 7:29:13 GMT -5
At this point 2020 is going to be a complete write off, in my opinion.
Even if things start to get going again in May, its more then likely going to be a slow start and there is not going to be money out there to spend on 'shows'. Canada Day if anything happens (BIG IF) people gathering in big groups is going be frowned upon and any city doesn't want to be know for the one that started the 2nd wave. We might see some small wedding show in the 2nd half of the year but I do think that is going to be a stretch at this point.
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Post by Aussie on Apr 25, 2020 10:46:24 GMT -5
Fire Departments are starting to ban the use of fireworks till July 3 to stop people gathering.
Oshawa was the first this week
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Post by huggyd on Apr 25, 2020 15:40:06 GMT -5
I know there has been a lot of small events canceled this year, and I talking about stuff in October....
Really its going to come down to 2 main things in my opinion:
Financial thing - there is no money around to host events; after this, the government's coffers are dry, weddings & such private events possible but I would think its going to be short notice shows and still facing a money issue.
Skittish Public - even if there are events getting people together maybe a hard thing to do, and having a city or town have a even / firework show, like I said before no ones wants to be the host of wave #2 (after a contact tracing was done, it was determined that wave 2 start at a fireworks show in [insert name of city]) not a good headline.
You can factor in the supply coming from china or lack there of, but if you have no events why order any pyro so that's not really an issue.
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Post by bigtop on Apr 25, 2020 22:34:04 GMT -5
I have not expressed any conspiracy theories misinformation or BS. I am very interested in being accurate. I had no intention to argue as I expressed in a previous post.
So because there is a story about a shipment of faulty masks the successful efforts of the province of Alberta procuring PPE are BS. Well check your facts because you are wrong. Alberta has procured so much PPE they were able to donate 41 million of PPE to other provinces in need. Beyond the news story I have direct personal knowledge of the Alberta PPE procurement success.
Almost all the PPE our Health Care workers used before the pandemic came from China. Due to the extreme procurement situation there have been some bad actors profiteering off the situation. It however remains until we can produce enough PPE for our needs we need the supply from China. That is the reason the government of Canada and several of the provinces keep sending Cargo Jets to China to get the PPE.
It is interesting how there are a proliferation of stories about the pandemic products from China that are faulty but very little reporting about what China is doing about it. You would think that is media is reporting about a problem they should also report about the solution. China has instituted CCIQ export controls and is aggressively working to ensure exported product is to standard. I know about this and the because I am involved in Medical PPE procurement in China and have people there dealing with the quality control initiative of the Chinese government. Putting the issue in perspective if you have a million bad masks China was producing 116 million masks a day over a month ago and production has gone up substantially. So all the reports of bad masks amount to substantially less than 1% of production. Now the government has gone after the producers of faulty products full the percentage of faulty products will go down.
Sorry if it offended you that I posted some ideas of what has been successful in other countries. My only intention was to suggest we could beat this pandemic faster if we did some different things.
To keep this Thread on topic I have received 4 inquiries about display fireworks since the pandemic started here. 1 is buying 3 are holding until they see what happens. This is a drop in the bucket compared to a normal year.
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Post by londonfan on Apr 26, 2020 6:45:55 GMT -5
Fire Departments are starting to ban the use of fireworks till July 3 to stop people gathering. Oshawa was the first this week Good to hear from you Aussie. You've been rather quiet lately. Did they ban all fireworks or just large events? It would be a shame if individuals couldn't set of a few cakes and such with their own families on their own properties. Entire neighbourhoods can participate in the enjoyment by watching from their windows or properties without gathering. 1.4G consumer use only won't do much(anything) for you professionals, but it would help the suppliers in general to keep a part of the industry alive. I do hope you pros can weather the storm. Your big shows are rather inspiring. Also, come the warmer weather, and Canada Day... I heard last week that pool maintenance companies can be considered essential services as the chemicals in the pool will kill Covid. I don't know if this is true, but it could make a good case for swimming pool/fireworks parties to test if both of these together can be the most effective course against the virus. Kill it on the bodies and destroy it in the air, and have fun! I just thought of more... Most municipalities have large pools inside large parks. That equals large swimming pool/fireworks parties! They will require big time shows! Just spitballin here  |
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peteys
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Post by peteys on Apr 26, 2020 9:13:36 GMT -5
I didn't watch it Disney was going to be live-streaming the fireworks show from their park. Wonder how that went, and how it was received?
Is that going to be the new normal fireworks display? I hope not. Shooting it from some random field and streaming it live on youtube?! Might be something that can be done this year in place of the usual Canada Day shows, can even get neighbouring communities to work together to make budgets better and therefore the show better (we don't all have Disney's budget).
I like spitballing just as much as anyone, anything to get a show or two happening.
To be honest though, I am not sure that much of anything will happen for summer 2020.
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Post by Aussie on Apr 26, 2020 10:36:20 GMT -5
Fire Departments are starting to ban the use of fireworks till July 3 to stop people gathering. Oshawa was the first this week Good to hear from you Aussie. You've been rather quiet lately. Did they ban all fireworks or just large events? It would be a shame if individuals couldn't set of a few cakes and such with their own families on their own properties. Entire neighbourhoods can participate in the enjoyment by watching from their windows or properties without gathering. 1.4G consumer use only won't do much(anything) for you professionals, but it would help the suppliers in general to keep a part of the industry alive. I do hope you pros can weather the storm. Your big shows are rather inspiring. Also, come the warmer weather, and Canada Day... I heard last week that pool maintenance companies can be considered essential services as the chemicals in the pool will kill Covid. I don't know if this is true, but it could make a good case for swimming pool/fireworks parties to test if both of these together can be the most effective course against the virus. Kill it on the bodies and destroy it in the air, and have fun! I just thought of more... Most municipalities have large pools inside large parks. That equals large swimming pool/fireworks parties! They will require big time shows! Just spitballin here Oshawa has put a complete sales and use ban including 1.3g and 1.4g products, they were the first to stop issuing permits for events back in March |
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Post by pyrot on Apr 28, 2020 3:26:28 GMT -5
Thank you for all going back on topic!!!! Yes so far it is not looking good for us pyro's. Still waiting to hear about my Canada day shoot, though its not looking good. Alberta has banned all gatherings of more than 15 people until Aug. 31 at least. Though, on the upside, some of the smaller communities have been hosting drive-in movies - with strict rules regarding staying in vehicles,spacing, etc. They have been done successfully to date. Similar arrangements might be possible for Canada day fireworks , but we will see. The other show I have been booked for has now been postponed until possibly the fall, but I have heard from my supplier that my order will be shipped to me by may 10. I'm not super comfortable sitting on that stash for that long, so I might just do a very small little weekend shoot each weekend until firebans kick in.
And just to clarify to Bigtop - Sorry if I kinda went off on a rant. Just rather had enough of the covid19 bad news for a while - and this is one of the places I can (hopefully go) to escape it for a while. And I wasn't referring directly about the Alberta Governments "procurement. i was more referring to The Alberta Governments handling of the whole situation in general. YES they may have done good at getting supplies BUT , in the meantime they also started a fight with Alberta doctors that have caused as currently sits - 3 rural hospitals with 1 or no doctors, as well as many more GP's who have given up their hospital privileges. I don't even want to get into how else they so badly screwed over all the people in Education, or pretty much the majority of the province with their so called assistance program that no one was able to apply for , etc etc etc. Even better, I should send you a picture of the masks I currently am "supposed to be using to do my job!! We require N95 DUST masks - as it is the season where everyone in my industry is using both powder Activated Carbon, and Potassium Permagantate to treat drinking water. These masks have been on back order since middle of February. So when the Utilities put out the call to our Government - as it was announced that they were giving them away to other provinces, the province sure stepped up - and distributed boxes of surgical proceedure masks to us - completely useless!!!!!! When this was brought to their attention, we were pretty much told - sorry, all N95 masks have been shipped elsewhere - make do with what you were given!! So now 3-5 times per shift, myself and every other water treatment plant operator in this "great" province, are destroying our lungs so everyone else can have safe drinking water! Thank you government of Alberta! I am quite frankly embarrassed to be an Albertan these days, but this isn't exactly the time to be moving!! Our only saving grace in this province is, because of our very small population density, it didn't hit us hard.
But now, back to fireworks.
Still haven't heard word about Globalfest either - though I know already it will be cancelled. I am not going to be pushing for a refund on my pre-purchased passes. Hoping they will be honoured next year, and if not, I will consider it a donation to a great festival - they could most likely really use it, and my wife and I have been very lucky - in the fact that we are both still working through all of this
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Post by bigtop on Apr 28, 2020 11:04:44 GMT -5
No problem pyrot I know we are all under stress. I have been involved with PPE procurement with my province and that experience has reminded me again how ineffective government can be. That has made me overly intense about the issue.
Your experience with the N95 masks is typical of governments inability to run effective operations.
Here is a crazy Idea that might help. The main failing of surgical masks is that the air that is sucked in around the sides when you inhale. Is it possible to get a better seal to the face somehow? I am thinking medical tape or something elastic. I mean black lung from the carbon and so many bad possibilities from the potassium permanganate nobody wants that. I know the filter media of a surgical mask is less effective that an N95 but with the particle size of the powders you are dealing with it should filter out almost all of the airborne particulate if the face seal can be improved.
I see televised fireworks shows for July 1st as a real possibility. I think it really takes away from the real life excitement of fireworks but might be necessary. In small towns it would be possible to have a show with social distancing. I sold some consumer fireworks yesterday to a guy that lives in the country. He is going to invite everyone to park with their cars separated in a field while he shoots the fireworks. The downside is it is not possible to have the party that would go with the fireworks show.
I am also lucky. My business is well enough established that I can wait this out and my wife and son are working from home. If this had happened in my first few years of business I doubt my business would have survived.
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Post by londonfan on May 9, 2020 11:20:23 GMT -5
Hey Pyros, I'm going to tie a few threads together here. In "Preview of what is to come", we have talked about this year mixed into the new pieces. In "BEM FIREWORKS", I mentioned about Maxpower adding additional discounts. More optimistic good news!!! About an hour ago I received an email from Powerhouse that they will be opening their London warehouse store for curbside pick up. This doesn't help with the professional permitted shows, but I think that it is really good news for the consumer end, and the possibility of even a bit of long weekend fun to be had. Small things also help us want and look forward to bigger things . I think as long as we all respect the distance rules, there is no reason for small "events" to not happen. Here's hoping for more good news, and again this year, a shout out to our suppliers of pyro. THANKS GUYS!!! |
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Post by pyrot on May 14, 2020 4:11:03 GMT -5
Still waiting to hear any kind of word on Canada day shows.
I have also heard a few other suppliers are opening up, and starting to ship out orders. So at least, I think if there isn't going to be any "big" shows, there will be lots of backyard shows for our nations birthday.
I just really hope it doesn't get crazy or out of hand !!!!! Our regulations in Canada are strict enough as it is. And the way our government is acting these days, 1 or 2 incedents and they will simply ban fireworks every where all together.
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Post by dbrodz on May 17, 2020 3:51:46 GMT -5
I'm a little late to the party on this topic, but following up on what Aussie said, yes, my local county has enacted a fire ban (including fireworks) to prevent emergency services being called upon for less important issues (like teenagers shooting candles at each other in a park). I agree, this year is gonna be a write off for the most part. Although just this weekend I could've sworn I heard someone launching fireworks, yesterday evening to be specific; stopped me dead in my tracks, it had been so quiet for so long. Even though it was probably illegal for them to launch, the sound made me happy nonetheless!
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Post by londonfan on May 17, 2020 12:31:36 GMT -5
HOLY BLACK POWDER BATMAN!
Last night in London was amazing.
It seemed like every schoolyard or decent open space had someone (multiple someones) just shooting off a couple of cakes, a mortar here and there, and lots of Air Bombs. On the edges of my subdivision there were at least 4 separate people setting things off. From what I could see and hear it didn't seem like anyone was getting out of hand. People were just trying to have a bit of fun for a change.
I'm sure there was probably at least 1 idiot somewhere, but the people in my neighbourhood were outside watching the horizon and absolutely loving it.
I hope this is a good sign for Canada Day.
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Post by bigtop on May 27, 2020 11:33:53 GMT -5
Attached is how you can have a fireworks show in Saskatchewan. |
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Post by fireworks4u on May 27, 2020 19:23:14 GMT -5
Attached is how you can have a fireworks show in Saskatchewan. Are you from sk? |
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Post by Grisom on May 27, 2020 19:30:48 GMT -5
Bigtop is actually from just outside Winnipeg Manitoba.
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