LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County officials have confirmed that a fireworks show has been booked to celebrate Canada Day this year on the evening of July 1. And while the colourful explosions will be up in the air, it seems that some of the planning is too.
With just a week to go, not all details around the event are still confirmed. However, initial blueprints will the national Canadian holiday will include an evening light-show that will attract residents to in-person and in-vehicle to the shoreline of Lac La Biche Lake at McArthur Park.
Spectators will be welcome to taken in the event outdoors will adhering to provincially mandated public health guidelines, or for residents who would prefer to stay in their vehicles, can tune into an FM radio channel used specifically for the show that will play choreographed music, according to a statement from the County's communications department.
The return of the Canada Day fireworks and gathering at McArthur Place, marks a small return to normal as the province and municipality will be able to celebrate a national holiday with an outdoor gathering of up to 150 people for the first time since last March.
Last year, municipal leaders made the decision to cancel the firework show, like many other municipalities across the country that altered or scrapped festivities, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions. However, recently lifted restriction in the province are allowing for outdoor gatherings of up to 150 people socially-distanced in their cohort groups. These restrictions are likely to be further relaxed as stage 3 of the provinces "open for Summer Plan" could begin in late June or early July, according to provincial officials.
Drive-in show
The idea for the drive-in style viewing is not new. In February of this year the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce organized a Family Day fireworks show on the frozen surface of Lac La Biche lake. With the province under strict pandemic measures at the time, hundreds of vehicles were parked in specially designated viewing areas around the fireworks ‘launch area,’ giving occupants a drive-in view of the fireworks show. A radio frequency playing music to accompany the display was also used at that event.
