Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16 people in downtown Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»got a bit of a surprise.
While it had been forewarned in a from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre (VCC), most people were unprepared for the 10-minute fireworks display that took place over the Burrard Inlet. In an email to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» the VCC notes the display was for a client of theirs but organized independently.
"The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre was not involved in the approval of last night’s firework display, it was coordinated by a client of the Convention Centre," notes the VCC. "While it was organized independently, recognizing public interest in fireworks and the proximity to our venue, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre provided notice to nearby residential towers and on social media."
Some who spotted the fireworks were glad to see the display, but many on social media were unhappy with the surprise, notably the loud booms that echoed into the city.
"Glad the fireworks are banned in those drones are doing such a nice job I could swear it is real fireworks. " noted one .
"Love that we are now back in the before-COVID times in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»of 'what professional conference has the city permitted to have a fireworks show?'"
Many others shared similar sentiments.
Surprise fireworks tonight in Vancouver.
— Kelsey Hannan (@Kelsoh)
Big surprise fireworks show on the Coal Harbour waterfront for a private event at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre. 🎆
— Eri (@Eri_egh)
The convention centre noted in its tweet that the fireworks were a part of a private event and independently organized. In the past conferences have fired off fireworks at the end of their event.
However, in its schedule of events for August at the VCC, no conferences are listed.
While uncommon, private fireworks events are permitted in Vancouver.