It’s a staple of the Victoria day long weekend going back decades. Fireworks shows are bringing families together across Canada this weekend, including right here in our part of the country. The bright lights and loud bangs will bring families together over the long weekend, but before the spectacle comes the hard work.

Barabara Busing and her fellow rotary volunteers organize and set up the fireworks show at the Dundas Driving Park. They begin in the fall working with city officials to prepare for more than ten thousand spectators. For ten years now the show has been put on for free but they do accept donations which fund community projects.

Just like in Dundas, a passionate group of volunteers make the Victoria day fireworks in Caledonia possible. Ian Thompson is the chair of a volunteer group organized by the Chamber of Commerce. This is the second year they have put on a free show for several thousand people.

Three crew members will fire off thousands of fireworks, mostly by hand, over the river. The entire show lasts about fifteen minutes, followed by a special grand finale. If you can’t make it to a show, and plan to use your own fireworks at home, the Hamilton fire department warns to be careful and be safe.