There will be no Canada Day fireworks display in Parksville this year.
The City of Parksville has taken over the festivities for 2024, after the events were organized by the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce for years, according to Amir Tabatabaei, chamber executive director.
“Financially it’s become incredibly expensive to run Canada Day,” Tabatabaei said. “Last year we had probably, easily 25,000 people there over the course of the day. I saved in comparison to the year before, but still spent in excess of $20,000. Just the firework display costs nearly $20,000.”
When factoring in costs like musical entertainment and setting up portable toilets in the community park, he estimated Canada Day costs more than $50,000. Tabatabaei said the chamber needs to be fiscally responsible.
“We’re trying to get back to the core of what it is a chamber does,” he said. “Yes I’d like to have a wider purpose in the community, but in reality I have to take into factor the core values that it is a chamber does. And I just felt like the city was in a better position to run the event because of the cost involved, that’s the primary reason.”
The city confirmed it will organize the day’s events, which it added will be different than in past years.
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“I wasn’t completely on board with all the changes they wanted to make,” Tabatabaei said. “The firework display is being cancelled. For me that was one of the things that was the deal-breaker because I felt like we’re one of the last three places on the Island that have a firework display.”
People traveled to Parksville from the Mainland and around the Island to see its 17-minute fireworks show last summer, he added.
“I know probably half a dozen people that came up for the weekend from Victoria this past Canada Day because we have a significant firework display,” Tabatabaei said.
He added that he understands the reasons for avoiding fireworks, like the impact on pets and environmental considerations. Last year the chamber opted to use more environmentally-friendly fireworks that used less paper and wood material and no plastic.
Tabatabaei said he hopes the fireworks can return in the future.
“Every other municipality that’s put their fireworks on pause has not re-introduced them. They’ve said ‘well the costs are prohibitive,’ etc.,” he said. “For me, Canada Day is super important. As an immigrant, it’s super important that we celebrate everything that Canada is.”
A drone laser show could be an eco-friendly alternative some day, he added, but for now the costs are prohibitively expensive and significantly more than a fireworks display.
The chamber will support the city by providing its list of contacts, details for parade road traffic management and building up an event volunteer force as best it can. More information about the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and volunteering is available online.
