A recent entry on Darren’s blog really irked me (no offense to the writer or those who share the same opinion though). It was just a glaring example of why Vancouver turned into a “no fun city”
Mr. Barefoot seems to think that the fireworks, because they aren’t his cup of tea, aren’t worth the “trouble” that they cause. He figures that they don’t bring out tourists, and are just more hassle than they’re worth.
It’s precicely that type of attitude that has been the demise of many of Vancouver’s community events. All it takes is for a group of people to get it into their heads that a local event doesn’t do enough for the city, and if they squawk loud enough (I’m not insinuating that Darren would be one of said squawkers, all he did was post his opinion on his personal blog), eventually someone listens and without regard to fact or even popular opinion (because the squeaky wheel always gets the grease), the event is cancelled.
Of course, most people that attend events in Vancouver are from the city. No, most of the community events do not directly spawn tourst dollars. A + B does not always directly equal C, but there is a very strong ripple effect that’s felt throughout the city that cannot be denied.
Point A, the one that means the most to me, but the least in terms of direct financial benefit, is that of Community Spirit. Montreal didn’t become the “city of festivals” for the sole benefit of the people of Montreal, it did so in order to try and gain some tourist dollars. But I dare you to find any Canadians that are as proud as Montreallers of the city that they hail from. Not only is it good for those within the community, but it’s good for their attitudes. And even here on the left coast, we’re aware of that civic pride.
Point B is a little lesson in tourism. The overall impression that Vancouver is a world-class city offering world-class events is what will bring people here. Having some of those events occur while they’re here might cause them to stay longer. When people arrive in a city, they usually have somewhat of an itenerary. They’ve also usually got flexibility. If someone is in from out of town and they hear that there is an international fireworks competition taking place within the proximity of their trip, they might just decide to hang on an extra day and take in one of the shows.
That tourist is now spending extra on another night in their hotel, on their rental car, and food for the day. Perhaps they’re staying with relatives, but they’re sure to purchase something somewhere on that extra day. Darren also mentioned that “It’s not particularly benefitting the local businesses (regardless, they’re business that don’t need much help).” I strongly suspect that if you were to talk to the extra staff on at Milestone’s or the Boathouse on English Bay who are getting extra hours and extra tips on those four days, and will spend that extra cash in and around the city they would disagree (or complain that working means they can’t go out and enjoy that “worthless” event). Same goes for the countless hotdog and refreshment vendors who will cash in bigtime on those four days, and spend their commission on whatever it is they spend their money on.
Of course the corporations that own almost everything these days will cash in on the profits, but even though the trickle down doesn’t happen as it ideally should, the benefits are there.
What do you all think? Am I totally off my rocker? Can we all put up with a few days of distraction and disruption in our everyday routine for the betterment of the city?
Totally.
Fireworks are so fucking awesome.
Just time the downswing of the baseball bat behind the shrugs right and it’ll coincide with the Sky-Bang. And then once her family finds her remains, well, then I’m in Cuba sipping Brandy with Castro.
Ah, yes, it could happen.
If I weren’t in Toronto, that is. But still. Fireworks are cool, any anyone whose argument for having an event in the end hinges on economics, well, he’s a pretty fucking terrible excuse for a human being!
I think that the fireworks get a large enough turn-out that their value is evident. But then, this person believes in Internet Voting, so his opinion is SUSPECT! I have trouble meshing with my karma.
my 2 bits:
after watching said events unfold.. from my place.. i watched roving bands of drunk young men RUIN it for all.. spcifically a group of ‘drunk east indian males’!@ i watched as they attacked stole and looted downtown.. and then to top it off they ‘assulted someone seriously enough to flee like bandits after blood curtling screems of women all around’ (police & ambulance arrived 30seconds after the assault but still they should of been at robson and granville specifically when the crowds were returning!@)
ludicrious behavious.. it’s up the the citizens of our city to step up and call those boys on thier behavorisms when they are visibly out to start trouble.. these guys were activly RUINING it for everyone.
300,000 people beg to differ, Darren, and in a region of 2million, that’s a big piece o people. It’s better turnout than the olympic plebiscite, that’s for sure.
It’s important to note that the fireworks are not just a Vancouver thing. They’re actually much like the indy – a stop on a long international tour for pyrotechnics experts to showcase their talents for audiences and judges around the world. I would assume (although feel free to correct me) that there’s a purse to be won for the best competitor. The difference from the indy? The fireworks is available to everyone. It’s not restricted to those who can afford the $100 tickets. And that ticket money doesn’t go back into the city, it goes to the Champ Car association.
It’s the same as the old major league sports event. Just because they’re “professional” does that make them better? Or is the “amateur” athlete who plays for the love of the game and actually contributes more to the community, and whose sport is accessible to the community a more valuable citizen?
Thanks for your comments, Peechie. Don’t worry, I’m not easily offended. While my weblog does betray my personal distaste for fireworks, I hold that this event–in a summer full of events–doesn’t have much to offer the city.
As for economic return, if you were to compare the economic impact of the fireworks with that of, say, the Indy (which operates with a similar impact on locals and has a much, much higher profile internationally), the former pales in comparison. A few waiters and hot dog vendors do represent serious money. I don’t like the Indy either, but I can clearly see the value in having it. The same goes for Cirque de Soleil.
To reasonably have this debate, we need some hard numbers on what various events bring to the city. I say every few years we should knock off the least effective one and try something new.
More generally, shouldn’t we occasionally evaluate these events? By your reckoning, it sounds like any event is a good event. In fact, in making Vancouver a world-class city, shouldn’t we strive to select only the best, most impressive festivals and special occasions? It’s important to hold these things up to scrutiny and say ‘is this event still relavent?’ and ‘should we try something else?’ The fireworks have had a good run, but I think it’s time to move on.
well said jen!
I hate the crowds and all the hassle that comes along with it, but I absolutely love the fireworks. It’s tradition (reminds me of when I was a kid), it makes people happy and we are in need of fun events.
It’s a few fucking days a year. We have events and they aren’t month-long festivals in our streets. They upset a bit of downtown traffic.
But.
BIG BUT.
They do encourage the people.
The liven the spirit.
They make people happy.
They make people care about the city and be glad that they have the chance to live in a C I T Y because small towns often cannot afford that kind of thing.
Four days.
Five days.
A week out of your year.
GET OVER IT.
I hate things like fireworks. I hate crowds. It’s not my bag of tea, but would i want to take that away from the THOUSANDS of people who love it? Fuck no. All i do is avoid it: it’s not as though i don’t know when it’s coming.