Monday night's fireworks show on Lac La Biche lake will be like a drive-in — where the main feature is a 15-minute blast of light and sound, and everyone watching will be in their vehicles.
Family-friendly and COVID-friendly are the main goals of the unique event hosted by the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce with the help of Lac La Biche County. So instead of foot traffic, organizers have made room for, — well, traffic-traffic ... and are encouraging residents to drive to specially-designated parking areas on and around the lake to take in the show.
"We want them to see in through their windshields, keeping physically distanced from others, but being part of the big show," says Dave Phillips, the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the maestro behind Monday night's light show. "It will be like a big drive-in on the lake."
Radio to 106.9 FM
Helping to bring the show to the vehicles, a dedicated radio frequency — 106.9 FM — will be on the air for the show, choreographing the booms, bangs and sizzles to music..
The fireworks will be set off from a "blast site" a few hundred metres from the shoreline north of the Lac La Biche Legion, allowing residents around the south-eastern bay of the lake to watch from their own homes. Parking area on and around the shoreline have also been made for families to see the show.
Park & Watch
Parking areas have been created on and around the lake:
1. Boat Launch lake access at David Thompson Statue — 102 Avenue access
2. Lake access near McArthur Place splash park 99 Street access
3. Parking lot of Lac La Biche Museum on Recreation Grounds. 99 Street access
Volunteer safety works will be at each location to assist motorists
Viewing
Phillips says several areas around the lake shoreline will also offer good vies of the show, including along Nahshim Drive, Churchill Drive and the Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park causeway. Traffic enforcement will likely be in place, says Phillips, encouraging residents not to block the flow of traffic on designated roads.
Phillips is also stressing that people do not stand together to watch the show. Health and safety guidelines relating to COVID-19 protocols continue to be in place he said, explaining that the event has been endorsed by provincial health officials — but only for in-vehicle viewing.
"We don't want people to be walking or gathering together for this. We're lucky to be able to do it right now, so we really want people to follow the rules," he said.
If foot-traffic is unavoidable, Phillips said residents must keep their distancing, stay within their cohort group and "show respect for others."
Monday's Family Day Fireworks show gets under way at around 6:45 pm with a pre-arranged warm-up show from lakeshore participants, followed by the main event at 7 pm
