Here's when you can see fireworks in Ottawa-Gatineau over the next two weeks
Fireworks will light up the sky over the Ottawa River in Ottawa-Gatineau for six nights between July 31 and Aug. 17.
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy continues Wednesday night at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. The event runs until Aug. 17.
"I think it's an explosion of flavour, rhythms because of the music that goes with the fireworks and, of course, the sky getting lit up every night for our festival-goers," CEO Julie Moffatt told CTV Morning Live.
Grand-Feux du Casino on the first night of this year’s competition! (Jean-Francois Dufault/CTV Viewer)
Each night of the festival includes four hours of special entertainment at the Canadian Museum of History, with culinary experiences, music, artistic creations and more.
Moffatt says Les Grands Feux aims to "create experiences for families and for foodies" with culinary experiences and artistic displays. There will be seven local street food trucks and chefs on site every evening, along with digital art and entertainment.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Speaking to CTV News Ottawa Wednesday, ahead of the grand opening, Moffatt said the team has been planning for nearly a year.
"Tonight, with the grand opening, we are doing a show with Royale Pyrotechnie called A Sky of Our Own," she said. "The place to be is here at the museum. It gives you a different vibe for sure, because the music, of course, but also there are a lot of fireworks that are closer to the water that you don't get to see if you're looking at them from anywhere else."
Royale Pyrotechnie technical director Ross MacKeen says he's part of a team of 10 pyrotechnicians who work to put on the show from a barge on the water.
"It's the most fun. While we sometimes have the worst seat because we don't see the fireworks as well, we have a different experience and it's quite, quite interesting."
Here is a look at the schedule:
Wednesday, July 31: The Grand Opening by the Royale Pyrotechnie Firm.The theme is: "A sky of our own," showcasing the musical genius of Quebec through the decades.
Saturday, Aug. 3: China – Dancing Fireworks Firm. The theme is: "Mulan - demonstrating a universe where humility, bravery, and dedication are honoured."
Wednesday, Aug. 7: Spain – Pirotecnia Zaragozana Firm: The theme is: "My Universe – a musical experience representing our journey through various life situations."
Saturday, Aug. 10: Barbados – Caribe Fire FX Firm: The theme is: "Pyros of the Caribbean – a dynamic show that will make you feel like you're in the Caribbean."
Wednesday, Aug. 14: United Kingdom – MLE Pyrotechnics Firm. The theme is "Harmonies Without Borders: A musical journey through Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
Saturday, Aug. 17: The Grande Finale by the Royal Pyrotechnie Firm. The theme is "Champions a fiery sports contest highlighting strength, skill, and discipline in the glorious fireworks display."
Tickets are required to access the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History for the event.
"Everybody becomes a child when we're watching fireworks," Moffatt said. "To forget about everything and just focus for those 22 minutes on a magical show."
The City of Gatineau says parking and vehicle traffic will be prohibited from 8:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 31, Aug. 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17 on the following streets
- La rue Laurier, entre la rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville et le boulevard Sacré-Coeur;
- La rue Victoria, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue Papineau, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue Élisabeth-Bruyère, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- Le boulevard des Allumettières, entre le boulevard Maisonneuve et la rue Laurier;
- La rue Saint-Étienne, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue de Verdun, entre les rues de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île et Laurier;
- La rue de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île, entre la rue Élisabeth-Bruyère et le boulevard des Allumettières.
The Pathway along the Ottawa River will be closed between the Portage Bridge and the Alexandra Bridge from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Explosions witnessed at Beirut funeral for Hezbollah members and a child killed in pager attack
Multiple explosions went off Wednesday at the site of a funeral for three Hezbollah members and a child killed by exploding pagers the day before, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene.
BREAKING First Conservative motion attempting to bring down Liberals to simply ask if House has confidence in Trudeau
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has confirmed his party is putting forward a non-confidence motion next week and the wording is very straight forward.
Record-breaking Lotto Max jackpot tickets sold in Ontario, Quebec
Two lucky people in Ontario and Quebec will split Tuesday’s record-breaking $80-million Lotto Max jackpot.
Rogers Communications to buy out Bell's share of MLSE for $4.7 billion
Rogers Communications Inc. is buying out Bell's 37.5 per cent share of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 billion, giving it 75 per cent ownership of the sports conglomerate.
BREAKING Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez to step down, will stay on as MP
Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez is set to announced he’s stepping down from cabinet and as the Quebec lieutenant on Thursday, but he’ll remain an MP, CTV News has confirmed.
8-year-old Ohio girl takes her family's SUV, drives to Target
An 8-year-old girl took an SUV from her Ohio home and drove for miles to a store where she was later found unharmed, authorities said.
Affordability crisis could be reaching its peak in Canada, economist says
With Canada's annual inflation rate reaching the central bank's two per cent target, the country's affordability crisis could be peaking, according to an economist.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, goes back to work days after cancer treatment update
Catherine, Princess of Wales has held her first engagement since revealing that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Ukrainian drones strike a major military depot in a Russian town northwest of Moscow
Ukrainian drones struck a large military depot in a town deep inside Russia overnight, causing a huge fire and forcing some residents to evacuate, a Ukrainian official and Russian news reports said Wednesday. At least 13 people were injured, Russia's Health Ministry added.