Fireworks show attracts thousands
by Kevin Weedmark
Organizers are pleased with the second annual “Living Skies Come Alive” fireworks competition. For the second year, the event attracted thousands of people to Moosomin Regional Park for two nights of fireworks.
Saskatchewan’s only fireworks competition featured Archangels Fireworks from Winnipeg on Saturday night and Ruggieri Fireworks of Regina on Sunday night. The judges gave top marks this year to Ruggieri.
“It went very well,” said Larry Tomlinson, one of the organizers. “The shows were great. Everybody said they really liked them. I heard good comments about the shows, the food, everything.”
Like many of the organizers, Tomlinson spent a lot of time working to make the weekend a success. “I took Friday off work, and I was working down there all weekend,” he said. “It’s a lot of work but it sure is worth it.”
Tomlinson said he doesn’t think most people realize how much work goes into the event.
“Getting it set up is a tremendous amount of work,” said Tomlinson. “A lot of people did a lot of work. A lot of work went into it.”
He said the event seems to grow every year as more people hear about it.
“Every year it seems to get bigger,” said Tomlinson. “We have to sit down and figure out the numbers yet, but it looks like it was a big success.”
Tomlinson said he expects the show to continue to grow in the future.
Janice Walker said she believes the event ran more smoothly this year, partly because volunteers and a lot of the spectators had one year of experience under their belts.
“We knew what to expect, and so did the people,” she said.
Walker was pleased that even the weather co-operated.
“The weather was perfect,” said Walker. “There was a little rain Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t a problem at all.”
Walker was also glad to see the event being enjoyed by everyone who attended.
“It was just a family-oriented weekend,” she said. “We started it out as a family weekend and that’s what we want to maintain—something for everybody.”
Funds from last year’s event went to playground equipment at the lake. Organizers haven’t made any decisions about this years money, but feel it may be donated to the same cause again this year.
Organizer Bruce Easton noted that were fewer hiccups this time around.
“I think it went excellent. It went a lot smoother because everyone wasn’t coming at once. There wasn’t the rush to get in before the fireworks and get out right after them,” he said.
“I think people came in earlier and they stayed around, so it worked a lot better.”
He said every part of the weekend went well. “Sunday night was very busy,” he said. “The stage went well, the bouncers went well. We had a pancake breakfast Sunday morning—there was lots for people to do and everyone had fun.”
He said the fireworks crews seem to enjoy the event as well. “Some of them were there on Wednesday. It takes them a lot of time to set up, but they’re more than happy with the whole thing. Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger.”