Steel barriers to protect Vancouver fireworks crowds, police say

VANCOUVER — Vancouver police say the annual Celebration of Light fireworks competition that begins Saturday will be protected by steel barriers to prevent vehicle incursions in the most crowded areas.

The competition on English Bay is expected to involve the city’s biggest public gatherings since the deadly vehicle attack on the Lapu Lapu festival in April, and Sgt. Steve Addison says protections will include 700-pound “archer barriers.”

Addison says the barriers on Denman Street and Beach Avenue will replace heavy vehicles that are traditionally used to prevent vehicles entering restricted areas and to protect crowds.

He says concrete blocks will also be installed at all access points on Denman Street from Robson to Davie streets.

Addison told a briefing on Tuesday that police will also be manning “strategic locations” on the three fireworks nights to make sure that people in vehicles are residents of the area.

The competition continues on July 23 and 26, and while the event traditionally involves international teams, organizers say it will be an all-Canadian event this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.

The Canadian Press