The sky over Valleymore Park in Peterborough’s south end will once again be filled with light and colour this weekend.
For the past decade, Jim McKee has been staging a fireworks displays in the Spillsbury Drive neighbourhood. He had decided to take a break this year, but neighbours encouraged him to put on a show to mark Canada’s 150th Birthday.
McKee agreed but then found out, for the first time, he needed a permit to shoot off fireworks from a city park, and to get the permit, he needed insurance.
He says in the past, he just informed the city fire department and the police about his planned show. But over the last while, the rules had changed. He said because he has started planning the display much later than normal, he was unsure if he could get the proper paperwork in place before the show, scheduled for Saturday.
“I was touch and go there for a while but it all came together,” said Mckee
Tuesday, he was contacted by the city and told his permit was approved and the show could go on. McKee says he is grateful to city staff for getting his approvals when he didn’t give them very much notice.
He adds the display this Saturday is free but donations to help defray the costs of the fireworks are gratefully appreciated.