The City of Vernon will contribute financially to Canada Day festivities and fireworks.
But they will not organize the events.
Council has committed $10,000 for 2016, 2017 and 2018 to a fireworks committee – if one is resurrected – and doubled its donation toward Canada Day festivities in Polson Park to $2,000 as well as maintaining its historic level of in-kind support for the activities.
“It’s never been a council job to put on Canada Day festivities,” said Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund. “People seem to think it’s on us to do that.”
Council voted to invite interest from the community to organize Canada Day activities and/or a fireworks display.
Canada Day activities in the park went on, as usual, in July, but the person organizing it wants to retire.
Fireworks were cancelled this year because there were no organizers for the event. There had been a local fireworks committee in place for many years prior to 2015.
“The biggest problem is there are no volunteers stepping up to the plate to help,” said Mund, who said former committee members are still willing to help.
“We had hundreds of people complaining (about no fireworks) so the city put out a request and said, ‘come out, here’s your opportunity. Instead of sitting back and complaining, help Vernon proceed with the festivities and fireworks.’”
