Crowd watching fireworks/via 123rf

Some good news for those hoping for a show on Canada Day.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Chief Ken Uzeloc has confirmed he’s signed off on a permit for a professional fireworks shooter who has been hired by the City of Kamloops for July 1st.

“We looked at their safety conditions. We looked at their safety plan. So far we have approved it to continue to proceed, but with, given the times, we always have that ability to cancel short notice.”

Uzeloc says he would pull their permit if weather conditions became unfavorable.

City of Kamloops Events Supervisor Sean Smith says a 15-to-20 minute display by an Interior-based pyrotechnics expert.

“As per usual, they’ll start around dusk, which is generally around 9:30pm at night. We do have the permission from the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc to use their property, again, just as we usually do every year from the point across the [Thompson] River from Riverside Park.”

Smith says the use of Tk’emlups land is by design.

“It’s the safest piece of property we can find. It provides the best vantage point for everybody that’s in the park, as well as all the people from downtown, and even up as high as Sahali to be able to see the fireworks from that location,” notes Smith.  “It’s really worked well for us in the past.”

Canada Day fireworks have been a no-go the last few years in Kamloops due to fire danger concerns, as well as high temperatures and wind on the day.

Meanwhile, Smith says the City is how holding its final planning meetings to finalize events and activities for Canada Day in Riverside Park.

He says those details should be released in the coming few days.