After testing the waters with a drone show last year, the City of Kamloops is returning to tradition: a Canada Day fireworks display is planned for July 1 at Riverside Park — weather permitting.
City Council previously weighed two options for this year’s celebration: a drone show with a price tag of $45,000, or a traditional fireworks display costing around $25,000. In the end, Council voted to pursue the more familiar and less costly fireworks option, reflecting both budget considerations and community feedback.
“Based on the feedback from the community, they preferred to have the fireworks,” said Janvi Desai, Community Events Coordinator for the City of Kamloops. “We want to support our community and go back to what the community wants and enjoys.”
Some councillors expressed concerns over the risks associated with both options. Councillor Margot Middleton said she was uncomfortable committing to the higher-cost drone show, especially given the possibility of cancellation due to wind or weather conditions. “If it is a risk or a gamble, I would be more in favour that we take the lower cost option,” she said during a council discussion.
Councillor Bill Sarai added that while last year’s drone show was a unique experience, it didn’t land as well as hoped. “It wasn’t very well received,” he said. “Can it be tweaked? Yes, but so can our fireworks.”
Councillor Stephen Karpuk noted one practical advantage of fireworks: even if cancelled due to weather, the materials could still be stored and used later, unlike drone rentals.
Kamloops Fire & Rescue Chief Ken Uzeloc highlighted ongoing fire safety concerns, stating that while professionally managed shows like this rarely cause significant issues, fireworks — especially consumer-grade — remain a leading cause of fires and injuries across North America.
“We know even in 2023 there were small smoldering fires after some displays,” he said. “That’s why the fire department does not support consumer use or sale of fireworks.”
Weather remains a key variable for this year’s show. Desai noted that strong winds or excessively dry conditions could force a last-minute cancellation. However, recent rainfall and forecasts for additional precipitation have raised hopes that conditions will be safe.
“Wind is the biggest factor,” Desai explained. “We’re hoping the rain helps ease any fire risk, and that the wind stays down on Canada Day.”
Canada Day in Riverside Park
The fireworks will be the grand finale to a full day of festivities in Riverside Park. Events kick off with a Lions Club pancake breakfast from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a multicultural flag parade and performances at the Rotary Bandshell. The city’s largest annual community gathering will feature live music, art installations, a Kids’ Fun Zone, multicultural food, community booths, and a beer garden.
The fireworks are scheduled for dusk, with the best viewing spots located along the Rivers Trail in the park.
Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead using the city’s interactive park map at Kamloops.ca/CanadaDay, bring reusable water bottles and tote bags to reduce landfill waste, and take advantage of free BC Transit service on July 1.
As construction continues on the new Riverside Park outdoor skating facility, guests are reminded to steer clear of active construction zones for safety.
The City of Kamloops thanks the Kamloops Arts Council, Kamloops Multicultural Society, BCLC, and the Government of Canada for their support in making Canada Day 2025 a celebration to remember.
