Hundreds of vehicles filled on-ice parking areas and lined the Lac La Biche lakeshore for a unique fireworks show to wrap up the Family Day Monday holiday.
Chilly winter temperatures were no match for a COVID-friendly fireworks show ... and in-dash heaters ... as hundreds of vehicles parked in on-ice viewing areas and on roadways along Lac La Biche lake on Monday night. The Family Day Monday fireworks show proved to be a popular distraction from pandemic protocols. The event was sponsored by Lac La Biche County and hosted by the Lac La Biche & District Chamber of Commerce Video: Bianca Mazziotti
Monday nights drive-in also featured a little pre-show choreography by several lakeshore residents who registered with the Chamber of Commerce to set of some warm-up fireworks.
Virtual Family fun
The socially-distanced on-ice event followed a day where other events were affected by the continuing pandemic protocols. Instead of the usual Family Day Festival hosted by the municipality's Family and Community Support Services — an event that in the past has featured tobogganing, hot-dog cookouts, ice skating, children's games as well as family snow-shoeing and cross-county skiing — the day went virtual. The FCSS group hosted an online scavenger hunt and photo contest for families to enjoy within their own cohorts. Check this week's Lakeland This Week for an update on the success of FCSS's virtual event.
As for outdoor activities, some families did venture out to the Alexander Hamilton Park on Monday for a little sledding. The last grasp of a winter deep-freeze kept temperatures in the mid minus-20s, which kept many people indoors.
The fireworks show was paid in portion by a fireworks credit from a 2020 booking made by municipal officials for a Canada Day show. That event was cancelled due to enhanced COVID-19 measures restricting public gatherings.
Video: Bianca Mazziotti / Images Rob McKinley and Bianca Mazziotti - Great West Media
