LAC LA BICHE - The Family Day weekend in Lac La Biche County this year is going to end with a bang.
There are still a few details up in the air for a Family Day fireworks show on Feb. 15, but Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce President Dave Phillips says he's fired up for it.
"A fireworks display will happen on the lake," says Phillips, explaining that social distancing, gathering restrictions and safety are all factors in the ongoing planning process for the show, which is hoped to bring a burst of excitement during some challenging times for residents. "We just have to celebrate something this winter season."
A view from the lake
The celebration is expected to see a fireworks launch area set up on frozen surface of Lac La Biche lake — out far enough to be visible to a large portion of the lakeshore on both sides of the Lac La Biche hamlet. The event, which is scheduled to start at 7 pm of Family Day Monday, is being billed as a sort of 'drive-in' show, with the public encouraged to view the fireworks from inside vehicles or from their homes.
"We are encouraging people to watch them from behind their windshield, said Phillips, explaining that he asked municipal officials two weeks ago to use some leftover funding from two previous fireworks events that were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Money from a planned-but-cancelled 2020 celebration to mark the tenth anniversary of the Bold Center, plus funding for the 2020 Canada Day fireworks show that was also cancelled, will go towards the February 15 show. Municipal officials say there is a $12,000 credit with a fireworks contractor that will go to the planned show. The average Canada Day fireworks show costs about $20,000.
"We are encouraging people to watch them from behind their windshield."
--Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce President Dave Phillips
"People who live on the lakeshore can view the fireworks anywhere from McGrane Island (west of the Lac La Biche Mission) all the way around the shore — all of Lakeland Drive, Lakeview Crescent ... to the west side of Lakeview Estates," he said adding that a good view of the show will be from the entrance way to Churchill Provincial Park. "I think one of the choice spots on the whole lake will be to park on the causeway and watch the fireworks out on the lake."
Questioned about traffic issues on the causeway, Phillips said there are lots of places around the lake for vehicles to park and watch the show.
"If you don't live where you can see them, pick a spot on the causeway or anywhere in the other 40 kilometres of lakeshore that you can occupy to see the fireworks," he said, adding that ready-made parking areas on the frozen lake may already be in place as crews will be working on race tracks and public access for the Winter Festival of Speed which takes place two weeks later.
A map of viewing areas and on-ice parking areas for the Family Day fireworks is expected to be made available this week.
Fire up your support
Calling it the "event before the event Phillips is inviting residents around the lakeshore to fire off their own fireworks leading up the to big Family Day event.
"One of the special things we want to do is the event before the event — a fireworks display with just over-the-counter fireworks shot by all participating people around the lakeshore," said Phillips, inviting all members of the community shop locally and be part of the night-light nightlife. "If they are willing to spend 50 dollars or 100 ... they can blast off the fireworks."
Anyone wishing to take part in the pre-show can register for the event by contacting the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce office at 780-623-2818. Municipal guidelines and specific fire safety protocols will be in place and enforced.
Alberta Health Services has been contacted about the planned event, with Phillips saying all protocols will be adhered to.
Saying he felt like a kid in a candy store .. if there candy were fireworks ... Phillips says just the idea of the fireworks event has put a smile on his face.
"I'm overjoyed to do this," he said.
If Mother Nature has other plans for the night, there is a back-up plan in place.
"If there's inclement weather, we'll put them off to Saturday night at the Festival of Speed."
