The Sicamous chamber would like to see one of the community’s most popular summer events held later in the season, or doubled down.
Recently, the chamber’s new executive director Michelle Wolff presented Sicamous council with something of a wish list, the top item relating to the annual Canada Day fireworks display.
Due to last summer’s flooding, the fireworks display was moved to the August B.C. Day long weekend.
Wolff asked that the district consider either moving the fireworks show permanently to August, or else have fireworks shows for both occasions. By having fireworks in August, Wolff said the community could look at hosting a much larger event, even resurrecting Moose Mouse days.
“Moose Mouse Days has been gone for, I think, 15-plus years, and numerous businesses in the communities say they still get requests for Moose Mouse souvenirs,” said Wolff.
The chamber surveyed its members about the idea of moving the fireworks to August, and of the 30 per cent who responded, 70 per cent were in favour, 27 per cent asked to keep them on Canada Day, while six per cent asked that a plan be worked out to offer fireworks on both weekends.
Weighing the pros and cons of the move, Wolff noted the Canada Day fireworks help kick off the tourist season, which doesn’t really get into full swing until after the Calgary Stampede. The up side of holding the event in August, said Wolff, includes warmer weather, more beach, fewer – if any mosquitoes and more visitors/residents are in town.
Mayor Darrell Trouton was excited by the request, stating he’s received plenty of positive feedback about the Sicamous Celebrates event, including the fireworks display, held last August.
“It was the first time a lot of residents who live here have seen the fireworks because they’re not normally here until after the Calgary Stampede weekend,” said Trouton. “Now, this year, they’re hoping… we’re going to hold it in August again, because they plan on bringing friends and family and such out to see it.”
Couns. Greg Kyllo and Terry Rysz were supportive of having fireworks shows on both of the long weekends.
“Canada Day is all about fireworks and it does kick off the summer, and I’ve seen the results every year running the liquor store how important that is,” said Rysz. “However, that said, the August long weekend last year was a total success. People were just raving about it.”
Wolff had three other requests on her list. One is that the district help the chamber, or purchase outright, things such as tents, pylons, fencing and bleachers for use during the community’s growing number of special events.
“This investment should pay for itself given the amount that is spent throughout the year by various organizations that rent this equipment every time,” said Wolff. “The chamber’s expected to rent tents at least three times this summer and I think it was possibly even more than that last year… so if we can get some of these assets in our town it would be very useful.”
Wolff also asked that the district work with the chamber towards a long-term plan of constructing a pavilion at Beach Park for events. Her final request was for supporting the chamber in marketing the community. Wolff suggested some radio advertising could be done during the summer to help promote the area.
“I know that the budget is tight and you’re in budget deliberations, so we haven’t attached any numbers to this,” said Wolff. “We really want to work with you and hopefully you’ll work with us in promoting our community more and we’re open to suggestions.”