It’s a St. Albert tradition that just can’t be beat — New Year’s Eve fireworks at Seven Hills. Just like all good traditions, you can expect some familiar faces running the show.
This is the seventh year Victory Life Church is sponsoring the event and the sky sparklers will be handled by Thunder F/X with Rob Kowalyshyn at the helm. Church representative Peter Jackson refers to it all as a way of thanking the city.
“We do it as a gift back to the community,” he said. “We’ve kept this evening alive for the people of St. Albert.”
That gift does come with a price tag of course, as fireworks are expensive. Considering the show occurs on the verge of 2011, Victory Life also wanted to mark the occasion with a bigger bang in consideration of the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
City council has promised them to help offset the costs of the program, although it was less than what Jackson asked for.
“We had asked the last couple of years for $2,000 or $3,000 more so it’s been an ongoing thing because of the cost increases,” he explained. “This year … I guess it’s like the old saying, if you don’t try, you don’t get.”
He was approved to receive $8,000 out of a $10,000 request. The church assumes the rest of the $15,000 production costs.
“At the church, we’re quite happy with that. It’s going to be as good or better as last year.”
Weather permitting, the show will once again take place on Friday, Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. on the hill behind Ă©cole Father Jan. There will be a bin to collect non-perishable food donations for the St. Albert Food Bank and the Salvation Army will have a bus on location to hand out hot chocolate.
The one break from tradition is that there will be no full road closures. However, one lane on Mount Royal Drive will be closed. Watchers should take note of and follow all posted signs.
