Fireworks reflected in the Rideau

Photo by Kathryn Buchan

Every August there is an international Fireworks competition (Spectacles Pyromusicaux), a series of shows held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Lac Leamy, an inlet on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. This year the English name for the series is Sound of Light. Because they shoot up into the sky, we can also get a fairly good view of the fireworks from the Ontario side, e.g. from the Rideau Falls bridge or the Minto Bridges; the music from that distance is not so clearly audible and you miss the low-level fireworks, but you don't need to pay your $10 for admission.

Tonight Carol and Kathryn called us to say they'd be watching the Chinese show from Bordeleau Park, and did we want to come out and join them?

On the banks of the Rideau River, it's easy to find look-out spots not obscured by trees. Why hadn't we though of this ourselves? We sat down near the water ready for the 9:30 p.m. start and saw all the highlights (literally) of the display created by the Hunan Jing Tai Fireworks Co.––like fountains, like flowers, like multicoloured giant caterpillars, like flying saucers and stars, all reflected in the water. Splendid! The title of tonight's contribution was Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, a lively rather than peaceful scene, its explosions echoing off the tall buildings on Porter Island.

The conclusion of the fireworks competition is scheduled for August 20th, the Chinese, Italian, German and Canadian teams all taking part in this Grand Finale. (Last year, Germany won.)