For Marlo Veloso and his pyrotechnic team, making sure Friday night’s fireworks go off without a hitch takes months of preparation and two days of set-up.
“When you talk about preparation, if you start from brain-storming to the end, it’s about a month or two,” said the project coordinator.
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This year’s fireworks are being set up on a barge in the South Saskatchewan River by Saskatoon’s Rotary Park. On Friday, the crews were hooking up the fireworks to a control panel, which sends off electrical currents through red wire to trigger the explosions.
The best spot to watch the fireworks will be at River Landing by the amphitheater because that’s where you’re going to hear the music to which the fireworks are choreographed.
“Go near, don’t watch from afar because if you don’t listen to the music it’s just fireworks. To actually enjoy and feel the effects and the grandness of it you need to hear the music,” Veloso said.
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Before team Philippines lights up the night, crowds will enjoy cultural dancing and entertainment.
Festival organizer Shad Ali says he chose to feature the Philippines this year because of the growing population in the city. According to the most recent national household survey, Filipinos represent the largest group of newcomers calling Saskatoon home.
“Our theme for this year is bridging the future. Our city’s cultural mosaic has been growing and changing quiet dramatically over the last five to 10 years,” explained Ali.
There will be several road closures in effect due to the fireworks:
- Rotary Park will not be open to the public.
- Closed 8 a.m. CT on Friday: Spadina from 3rd Avenue roundabout to 20th Street. Local access at 20th Street and full closure at the ramp heading under Broadway. This will remain closed until midnight on Saturday.
- Closed 8 a.m. on Friday: Spadina Crescent between 2nd and 3rd Avenue roundabouts, 2nd Avenue from Saunders to the roundabout, and 3rd Avenue from 19th Street to the roundabout. This will remain closed until Sunday around noon.
- Closed 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday: Saskatchewan Crescent under Idylwyld.
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