THUNDER BAY - It was billed as the largest fireworks display in Canada, and the spectacular show that lit up the night sky over the Kaministiquia River did not disappoint.
“It was amazing,” said Lawrence Dorey. “The story that went with it and the fireworks that was beyond it. It was unbelievable. It was the best ever. Period.”
Day two of the Karnival on the Kam at Fort William Historical Park wrapped up with a fireworks display by Royal Pyrotechnic. Using more than six tons of explosives, it was the largest fireworks display in Canadian history.
The display provided a visual history of Fort William, from the beginnings of the land, to the Indigenous people who lived in the area, through the fur trade, and finally to the park’s current role in persevering the past.
The message was not lost on those peering up at the sky from below and even the younger participants were moved by story of the area’s past brought to colourful life.
“After all of this we are still carrying the tradition on,” said 12-year-old, Tyler Lee. “And we keep doing it over and over and appreciating the people before us.
More than 7,000 people flocked to the park to take in this once in a lifetime experience, and even became an emotional experience for some.
Tina Caputo and her friend Pia Heikkinen were blown away by the display, both by its size, and the message behind it.
“They were unreal,” said Caputo. “They were really spectacular. And what a great storyline and everything to it.”
“I was completely moved to tears,” Heikkinen said. “It was so amazing. I just felt so blessed to be here and to see this amazing show and what it meant for Canada 150 and all of the history that it talked about. It was just overwhelming and so emotional and so amazing.”
Karnival on the Kam continues today and Sunday at Fort William Historical Park from noon to midnight. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Karnival on the Kam website.
