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The Province
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Province
Fixes needed or this could be Vancouver's last Celebration of Light, producer warns
Soaring costs and the loss of public and private funding have pushed Vancouver's beloved summer tradition — and other major city events — to the brink. Paul Runnals is the executive producer of the Celebration of Light fireworks festival that takes place every summer in Vancouver's English bay. This year sponsorship for the event is down, and the event is not alone as government at all levels have reduced sponsorship. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG As producer Paul Runnals busily prepares for the weeklong Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival, the largest public event in British Columbia, he faces a difficult reality: this could be the final year of the show. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'If we don't fix this, we won't have fireworks next year,' Runnals told Postmedia News. Soaring costs and the loss of public and private funding have pushed Vancouver's beloved summer tradition — and other major city events — to the brink. Public funding has taken a major hit in the past year, said Runnals. Provincial support for the fireworks festival is set to drop from $250,000 to $100,000 next year, while federal funding fell from $450,000 in 2023 to $250,000 last year and has been cut entirely for 2026. 'The feds basically said, 'We're not going to give you any more, so don't bother asking,'' said Runnals. The annual Celebration of Light draws more than 1.5 million visitors and generates $40 million in economic activity for B.C., primarily through tourism and hospitality spending. Organizers warn that without new support, the festival may not return next year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Paul Runnals is the executive producer of the celebration of Light fireworks festival that takes place every summer in Vancouver's English bay. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG The City of Vancouver covers police overtime, traffic control, and sanitation, an in-kind contribution valued at nearly $1 million a year. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called the situation unacceptable. 'Senior levels of government withdrawing financial support to place additional burden on both the city and the event organizers is unacceptable,' Sim said. 'Losing the Celebration of Light is not an option.' Although the non-profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society oversees the $3 million event, it is produced by for-profit BrandLive. That structure disqualifies the festival from several federal arts and culture funding streams, including Canadian Heritage grants. To help close the gap, the society introduced ticketed, catered viewing areas in 2010. These generate roughly $1 million in gross revenue annually, but fall short of covering rising production costs. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a statement to Postmedia, B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said: 'Government is proud to support this event, and the funding provided reflects the growing demands on the ministry. 'We know this is a challenging time for many industries and our focus remains on making the best use of available resources to support economic growth while protecting core services people count on.' Postmedia reached out to the federal government, but did not receive a response by deadline. Other major Vancouver events, including the International Jazz Festival and Pride Parade, are also warning of cutbacks or cancellations amid inflation, sponsorship losses and uncertain public support. Organizers say that without renewed government and private-sector backing, these flagship public gatherings, which draw hundreds of thousands of residents and millions in tourism dollars to the city each year, are on shaky ground. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Because the corporate world is nervous and holding onto their dollars or being very selective with them, I fear we're going to see a number of major events disappear in the city,' predicts Runnals. Organizers also worry that the arrival of FIFA 2026 could draw money and attention away from local events already struggling to survive. Yuri Fulmer, co-chair of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, said while local festivals grapple with reduced government funding, hundreds of millions are being spent by all three levels of government for the World Cup soccer event. The most recent budget estimate released for FIFA in Vancouver includes a combined $740 millions from municipal, provincial, and federal taxpayers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Organizers worry this major investment could divert public funds and corporate sponsorship away from Vancouver's established cultural events, putting their future at risk. 'The money to fund FIFA just doesn't come out of nowhere, it comes from slashing some things, definitely including arts and culture funding,' Fulmer said. Additionally, hosting the internationally renowned soccer competition at B.C. Place Stadium enforces a strict buffer zone. Known as a commercial exclusion zone, the restriction bars conflicting sponsor promotions within a set radius of FIFA venues. Nina Horvath, executive director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, fears these restrictions could reduce sponsorship opportunities for next year's festival, which takes place during the same time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There are still a lot of unknowns about what accommodations we'll need to make for our event,' she said. Since 2022, Horvath said the festival has seen corporate sponsorship decline by 50 per cent, including the loss of its title sponsor. Support recovered modestly by 10 per cent this year, thanks to focused outreach efforts, while government funding has remained relatively stable. 'We've made some very tough choices along the way to ensure that we can be sustainable,' Horvath added, noting the festival has since adapted by reducing programming, which means fewer opportunities for artists and cultural workers. She's calling for incentives, like expanding community amenity agreements, the city fees paid by developers, to help attract more corporate sponsorship. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society, told Postmedia last week that this year's parade is barely going ahead. Vancouver's Pride Parade, which draws hundreds of thousands downtown each summer, is also in jeopardy. Corporate sponsorship has dropped from $900,000 to $500,000, and provincial funding has fallen from $115,000 to just $45,000, Oger said. 'We're entering a period of debt tightening for governments and corporations,' she added. 'Festivals across the board are feeling the financial squeeze.' These steep losses threaten the parade's future, with organizers warning they may have to cancel next year's event without renewed support. sgrochowski@ Read More Vancouver Canucks News News Celebrity News
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Fixes needed or this could be Vancouver's last Celebration of Light, producer warns
As producer Paul Runnals busily prepares for the weeklong Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival, the largest public event in British Columbia, he faces a difficult reality: this could be the final year of the show. 'If we don't fix this, we won't have fireworks next year,' Runnals told Postmedia News. Soaring costs and the loss of public and private funding have pushed Vancouver's beloved summer tradition — and other major city events — to the brink. Public funding has taken a major hit in the past year, said Runnals. Provincial support for the fireworks festival is set to drop from $250,000 to $100,000 next year, while federal funding fell from $450,000 in 2023 to $250,000 last year and has been cut entirely for 2026. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The feds basically said, 'We're not going to give you any more, so don't bother asking,'' said Runnals. The annual Celebration of Light draws more than 1.5 million visitors and generates $40 million in economic activity for B.C., primarily through tourism and hospitality spending. Organizers warn that without new support, the festival may not return next year. The City of Vancouver covers police overtime, traffic control, and sanitation, an in-kind contribution valued at nearly $1 million a year. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called the situation unacceptable. 'Senior levels of government withdrawing financial support to place additional burden on both the city and the event organizers is unacceptable,' Sim said. 'Losing the Celebration of Light is not an option.' Although the non-profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society oversees the $3 million event, it is produced by for-profit BrandLive. That structure disqualifies the festival from several federal arts and culture funding streams, including Canadian Heritage grants. To help close the gap, the society introduced ticketed, catered viewing areas in 2010. These generate roughly $1 million in gross revenue annually, but fall short of covering rising production costs. In a statement to Postmedia, B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said: 'Government is proud to support this event, and the funding provided reflects the growing demands on the ministry. 'We know this is a challenging time for many industries and our focus remains on making the best use of available resources to support economic growth while protecting core services people count on.' Postmedia reached out to the federal government, but did not receive a response by deadline. Other major Vancouver events, including the International Jazz Festival and Pride Parade, are also warning of cutbacks or cancellations amid inflation, sponsorship losses and uncertain public support. Organizers say that without renewed government and private-sector backing, these flagship public gatherings, which draw hundreds of thousands of residents and millions in tourism dollars to the city each year, are on shaky ground. 'Because the corporate world is nervous and holding onto their dollars or being very selective with them, I fear we're going to see a number of major events disappear in the city,' predicts Runnals. Organizers also worry that the arrival of FIFA 2026 could draw money and attention away from local events already struggling to survive. Yuri Fulmer, co-chair of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, said while local festivals grapple with reduced government funding, hundreds of millions are being spent by all three levels of government for the World Cup soccer event. The most recent budget estimate released for FIFA in Vancouver includes a combined $740 millions from municipal, provincial, and federal taxpayers. Organizers worry this major investment could divert public funds and corporate sponsorship away from Vancouver's established cultural events, putting their future at risk. 'The money to fund FIFA just doesn't come out of nowhere, it comes from slashing some things, definitely including arts and culture funding,' Fulmer said. Additionally, hosting the internationally renowned soccer competition at B.C. Place Stadium enforces a strict buffer zone. Known as a commercial exclusion zone, the restriction bars conflicting sponsor promotions within a set radius of FIFA venues. Nina Horvath, executive director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, fears these restrictions could reduce sponsorship opportunities for next year's festival, which takes place during the same time. 'There are still a lot of unknowns about what accommodations we'll need to make for our event,' she said. Since 2022, Horvath said the festival has seen corporate sponsorship decline by 50 per cent, including the loss of its title sponsor. Support recovered modestly by 10 per cent this year, thanks to focused outreach efforts, while government funding has remained relatively stable. 'We've made some very tough choices along the way to ensure that we can be sustainable,' Horvath added, noting the festival has since adapted by reducing programming, which means fewer opportunities for artists and cultural workers. She's calling for incentives, like expanding community amenity agreements, the city fees paid by developers, to help attract more corporate sponsorship. Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society, told Postmedia last week that this year's parade is barely going ahead. Vancouver's Pride Parade, which draws hundreds of thousands downtown each summer, is also in jeopardy. Corporate sponsorship has dropped from $900,000 to $500,000, and provincial funding has fallen from $115,000 to just $45,000, Oger said. 'We're entering a period of debt tightening for governments and corporations,' she added. 'Festivals across the board are feeling the financial squeeze.' These steep losses threaten the parade's future, with organizers warning they may have to cancel next year's event without renewed support. sgrochowski@
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Police to beef up Celebration of Lights security with steel barriers, drones
Police will deploy hundreds of extra officers, drones and concrete and steel barriers when Vancouver stages one of its largest annual public events, starting this weekend. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pack the streets and beaches of downtown Vancouver and Kits Point as teams from Quebec, Yukon and Nova Scotia compete in the Celebration of Light fireworks display. The event is typically the Vancouver Police Department's largest annual deployment, but in the wake of the Lapu Lapu Day festival vehicle ramming in April, public safety has become an even greater concern. 2:20 New safety tools officials using at Vancouver summer events 'On the ground, you are going to see a significant and highly visible police presence,' Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said at a briefing by transportation and emergency officials on Tuesday morning. Story continues below advertisement 'We've got you covered on land, on the water and in the air so that you can come down with your friends, with your family, have a good time, have a safe time, and know that we have your back.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The VPD will be deploying 400 additional officers on the nights of the July 19, 23 and 26 events. That deployment will include members of the public safety unit, gang unit, emergency response team, drone pilots as well as mounted officers in the West End. There will be significant road closures downtown and in Kits Point, with police installing 320-kg 'Archer' barriers designed to prevent vehicle incursions. Police will also deploy concrete barriers at all access points to Denman Avenue, which is typically jammed with throngs of people before and after the fireworks performance. 'There are additional barriers that are going to be put out this year, more cement blocks, you know, more containment of the event zone,' Honda Celebration of Light executive producer Paul Runnals told Global News. 'But, but we've been doing heavy vehicle barriers and other mitigation measures for many years, it's not new to us. We're enhancing it this year, based on the learnings from April, but it really is just an extension of what we've been doing for a long time.' 7:36 B.C. releases event safety and security report Private drones will be strictly prohibited on fireworks nights. Story continues below advertisement Police are also reminding people that they will be enforcing laws against public drinking. With road closures in effect, any fireworks attendees are being encouraged to leave their vehicles at home and to walk, bike or take public transit to the show. 'Leading up to the event and following the event the SkyTrain will operate on peak service, which means trains will come very two to three minutes, there will also be extra sailing for the SeaBus, so you can hop on board more frequently, and on the final firworks night, Saturday, July 26, we will have special West Coast Express service form Mission and from Waterfront,' TransLink spokesperson Anita Bathe said. 'To help us support customer flow downtown, we are running special shuttle buses.' The road closures mean some buses downtown will also have to be rerouted, including the Number 5, Number 6 and Number 23, and TransLink is urging all transit commuters to plan some extra time into their trips. You can find a full schedule of Celebration of Light events, including flyovers by the Snowbirds, at the event's website.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Celebration of Light organizers outline safety precautions following Lapu Lapu attack
Fireworks explode behind the downtown Vancouver skyline as a pyrotechnic team from Croatia closes out the final night of the Honda Celebration of Light, in Vancouver, on Saturday Aug. 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Organizers and police are stressing security precautions are in place ahead of this year's Celebration of Light fireworks competition in Vancouver, which comes less than three months after a car ramming attack at the Lapu Lapu festival which left 11 people dead, and many others hurt. 'We've been doing heavy vehicle barriers and other mitigation measures for many years,' said Paul Runnals, the event's executive producer. 'It's not new to us. We're enhancing it this year based on the learnings from April, but really, it's an extension of what we've been doing for a long time.' There will be an additional 400 officers working on nights of the fireworks shows and steel barriers will be placed to protect the most crowded areas from vehicles. While police say they factored the events of the attack into their preparations, they insist there have been exhaustive safety plans in place well before the Lapu Lapu tragedy. 'The horrific events, the mass murder at the Lapu Lapu festival, certainly colours all of our decisions and informs all of our decisions moving forward, but it's important to remember that we have already collectively implemented significant safety measures,' said Sgt. Steve Addison with the Vancouver Police Department. Instead of the usual international competition, this year's shows will feature pyrotechnic teams from the Yukon, Quebec and Nova Scotia. A show of Canadian pride reflecting the burst of patriotism seen in recent months amid a trade war with the U.S. 'The world is a funny place right now and although the history of this event has always been international teams, we felt this year, with the rising patriotism, we wanted to reflect that in our team selections,' said Runnals. Each night will also feature a pre-fireworks show with 400 drones – double the amount used in last year's drone show. 'We're going to launch the drones from over by the Second Beach pool and they will sort of travel over towards the English Bay area near to the barges and do a sequence of choreographed movements,' explained Runnals. Beyond the fireworks, the shows on July 19 and 23 will also feature an airshow from the Snowbirds.
