Fireworks return to Riverside Park for Canada Day 2025

KAMLOOPS – After years of COVID cancellations, wildfire-related postponements and trying out a drone light show, fireworks will be returning as part of Canada Day celebrations in Kamloops for 2025.

At Tuesday’s (Oct. 8) regular city council meeting, mayor and council discussed last year’s drone show – and ultimately leaned against bringing it back for a second year.

“We’ve talked about this for the last two years and it’s risky to try new things, but this was something that staff tried to put their best foot forward,” said Councillor Mike O’Reilly, commending staff on the ingenuity to bring a drone show to the Tournament Capital in 2024. “I just don’t think the technology has caught up to where it will be, reliability-wise and cost-wise.”

Air pollution, fire risks and anxiety for people and animals were discussed as possible drawbacks to a traditional fireworks show.

Councillor Bill Sarai says he isn’t too concerned with the effects of fireworks on people and animals with anxiety.

“I think there’s a way of treating (anxiety on) your own– the fireworks going off is just on that one day,” said Sarai. “I’m in favour of bringing back the fireworks with the blessing of the fire chief and… bringing that excitement back to our city and see what happens.”

Only Councillor Dale Bass voted against the measure.

“Having a child who has great anxiety, it’s not easy to get over that,” said Bass.

“I recall when he still lived in Kamloops – every Canada Day, he would be disturbed for several days afterward because of his level of anxiety,” she continued. “I understand that it’s fun and we all love it and it’s really cute, but there are people and there are animals who do suffer from it, so I’ll probably be the only one to vote against it.”