Looks like the fireworks are out for this year’s Voyageur Days.
The annual event, which takes place from July 26th to July 28th, is Mattawa’s largest summer event, and traditionally, fireworks have been a big draw. Last year, the sky lit up as fireworks were shot over the river from the island – a crowd pleaser for some.
For many others, the fireworks didn’t go over that well. There was a fire ban in place, and many residents thought it was irresponsible of the town to shoot sparks into the air when they weren’t allowed to have a back yard fire.
“We had a lot of flack from the public,” admitted Mattawa’s interim CAO Paul Laperriere. Most complaints revolved around the theme of “how dare you have fireworks when there is a fire ban on?”
Indeed, “we had that call multiple times over multiple days,” Laperriere said. Staff had many in-depth discussions on the fate of fireworks for the summer festival, and “the biggest issue with fireworks is safety.”
See: Voyageur Days announces headliners for 25th anniversary event
Setting off fireworks in late July may not be the safest activity, especially if there is another fire ban. However, Laperriere emphasized the planning committee “want to celebrate, we want to have that atmosphere, but we don’t want to set the town on fire, or have the people think that we are.”
The proposed compromise? Cue the lasers.
For about $12,500 there can be two laser shows, one on Friday night and another on Saturday night. Both are planned to run just before the final performance of the night, designed “to light up the sky here in Mattawa,” Laperriere enthused.
Some councillors did not share the enthusiasm. “We did a laser show before,” Councillor Laura Ross recalled. “It did not go over well at all.” Simply put, people “did not like it,” she added.
What about a drone show? “Way beyond our price range,” the CAO said.
Councillor Fern Levesque reminded council that last year, the Fire Chief had firefighters and equipment set up around the fireworks site “and there was nothing to worry about.” The area was “a safe environment at that time.”
North Bay and Callander also held their regular July fireworks display while facing a fire ban. Levesque suggested the town wait and see what the weather holds and plan accordingly.
However, council and staff decided to veer on the side of caution, and all signs are pointing to a laser show over Mattawa. The festival is celebrating it’s 25th year, but this year may also mark the end of the annual fireworks display.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
