Transit schedules will be adjusted, including one more train on the track, for when Tri-Cities and Metro Vancouver residents choose to commute to an annual summer classic later this month.
The Celebration of Light is coming to Vancouver once more and will have three shows at English Bay showcasing three teams from Japan (July 23), Canada (July 27) and Spain (July 30).
Tri-Cities residents that frequent the West Coast Express (WCE) and attending the final display will notice an extra train will be operating to accommodate potential overcrowding SkyTrains and buses heading out of Vancouver.
TransLink says it's adding a train to its WCE rails the night of July 30 and will head through Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, and CEO Kevin Quinn hopes it can help everyone arrive home safely.
"It's great to see the fireworks back again after a three-year pause due to the [COVID-19] pandemic and we are encouraging everyone to leave their cars at home and instead hop on transit, walk, or cycle to catch the shows hassle-free," he adds in a news release sent to the Tri-City News.
The additional WCE train will start in Mission at 7 p.m. and will arrive at Vancouver's Waterfront station at 8:15 p.m. with regularly scheduled stops along the way at Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam Central and Moody Centre.
Boarding begins at 11 p.m. for the same train heading back east after the Celebration of Light and will officially depart at midnight.
Each WCE carriage can house nearly 150 people.
If you're taking SkyTrain to and from the Tri-Cities to Vancouver, TransLink says it'll operate at peak service levels with trains running every two-to-three minutes on July 23, 27 and 30.
There will also be extra Transit Police and Transit Security to help commuters get to and from the fireworks safely.
For more information on the upcoming changes, you can visit the transit authority's website.
Celebration of Light 2022
July 23 - Akariya Fireworks, Japan
Akariya Fireworks took home first place in both 2014 and 2017 Honda Celebration of Light. The team strives for absolute safety as much as the best performance, using quality control of products and tools, new technology, environmental protection, and employee training to manage the safety of their fireworks show.
July 27 - Midnight Sun Fireworks, Canada
Midnight Sun Fireworks is an award-winning team of Yukon pyrotechnicians that are passionate about creating unique shows to bring life to the music in their soundtracks. Their playful displays are full of surprises and creative expression.
July 30 - Pirotecnia Zaragozana, Spain
Founded in 1860, Pirotecnia Zaragozana is one of the most awarded companies in Spain. Tradition combined with constant innovation have made Pirotecnia Zaragozana synonymous with prestigious, safe and quality shows.
The winning team will be announced on August 2.
- with files from Maria Diment, Vancouver Is Awesome
