Tuesday, January 28, 2014

May Long Weekend Fireworks Cancel?


Empire Days Fireworks In Jeopardy Again?

A recent article in the Bulletin quotes Empire Days Society president Nettley Mark as saying the society is coming up $15,000 short this year for the funding required to put on the popular May long weekend festivities. This means that once again the fireworks display may have to be cut.

The Empire Days Parade has marked the start of the summer festival and events season in Nanaimo for years and years and packs the downtown with thousands of Nanaimoites for this popular event. This past year saw the society add family friendly events in Diana Krall Plaza which gave people another reason to come downtown in addition to the parade itself.

This may be another example of some of the contradictions you see in Nanaimo when it comes to different groups operating in isolation. For example, festivals and events are being recognized as an economic driver in the city and are seen as a means of attracting tourists to our region. The DNBIA, NEDC, Chamber of Commerce and the city of Nanaimo all sing praises of events to attract those highly coveted tourist dollars to our community. Yet, there seems to be no support for this event which traditionally packs downtown for the parade and again for the fireworks display, all the result of the thousands of volunteer hours by members of the Society and the Lion's Club.

Two years ago when the fireworks were cancelled for lack of funding, it was one of the topics that got more feedback on Nanaimo Info Blog than many other topics. People missed the fireworks and were upset they were not a part of the weekend.

It would be hoped that the community would recognize the value of this major event and get behind the volunteers that make it happen.

Businesses and private individuals wishing to support this popular, family-friendly event which kicks off the festival season in Nanaimo can contact Nettley Mark at nettleymark@hotmail.com or 250-751-8567 or Roy Linder at relinder@telus.net or 250- 758-2620.

allvoices

2 comments:

  1. Until they change the name and become more relevant to today's community, the Empire days deserves to die.
    So many of of this community are ashamed and or offended by such a title today.
    Perhaps Nanaimo Days would be more inclusive than Empire Days.
    In the almost decade I have lived here I have refused to participate in such an event.

    Graham

    ReplyDelete
  2. This proves the Empire Days Society is made up of nice people.

    Those non-profits who grab loads of city money are the ones who bamboozle, constantly lobby and whine to council.

    Take a few thousand bucks from the crumbling 25 Victoria Road theatre!

    More people will watch the fireworks than will ever walk through the doors of the money pit.

    ReplyDelete

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