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People celebrating Canada Day at Polson Park (Image Credit: Vernon Matters)
Too Dry

No fireworks for Vernon’s Canada Day celebration

May 12, 2026 | 6:01 AM

A firework-free Canada Day celebration will go at Vernon’s downtown park again this summer.

The Vernon-Okanagan Inspired Community Events Society (VOICE Society), will put on the celebration of the nation’s birthday at Polson Park on July 1.

The event will not involve an evening light show, due to the wildfire risk, but will feature a number of other family-friendly activities

  • Community art activities in the form of a large canvas project for residents and visitors to contribute to
  • Fruit Fest, where local producers hand out fresh fruit
  • Music and community performances at the bandshell over the course of the day
  • Bouncy castle and other play spaces
  • Mini golf
  • Artisan market
  • Food trucks
  • Community booths providing a range of entertainment and activities

“Everybody come down, there will be exciting things in the afternoon and the evening,” Mayor Victor Cumming told Vernon Matters, noting the creek naturalization project had been completed and the inner road at Polson Park is open for people to access and the new trail available for people to walk.

He noted the lack of fireworks at the celebration was understandable.

“People will have noticed that it’s been a bit dry, so fireworks on July 1st in a hot and dry area where there’s lots of trees is not a particularly good idea,” the mayor said.

The VOICE Society did ask for the city’s support for the event in the form of a number of small requests:

  • Tables and chairs
  • Waiving park rental fees
  • Keys to the park’s main gates and pavilion
  • Having parks employees on hand to assist with problems and emergencies
  • Six porta-potties placed behind the bandshell and along the service road
  • Onsite traffic control for assistance with parking
  • RCMP cruisers, fire trucks, and any other city vehicles that could be used as part of a display
  • Temporary permits for a skate competition, with permission and appropriate insurance from the city

These requests were similar to those asked by the VOICE Society for past Canada Day celebrations, and Vernon City Council agreed to provide those supports at Monday’s meeting.

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