Three years after the 35th Edition of the Montreal International Fireworks Competition concluded, and with two years of an ongoing pandemic responsible for this delay, perfect weather was on hand for the return of the fireworks to La Ronde. A show, honouring essential workers, had been promised for Labour Day weekend in 2021 and was preceded by several “surprise” shows in different Montreal arrondissements, but this was cancelled as the ongoing public health conditions started to deteriorate towards the end of summer, to the great disappointment of both the public and the organizers. Even back in Spring 2020, there was a hope that, by the summer, conditions would have improved enough to hold the competition, but this was not the case.
So in a La Ronde first, the opening show of the competition (a feature that was put in place in 2014 for the special 30th edition) was preceded by a rework of this special display that had been scheduled for Labour Day weekend 2021. As the theme had originally been a tribute to essential workers in Quebec, the soundtrack already featured renowned Quebec artists and so the new title, Je Me Souviens, was both appropriate as a memorial for everyone who had lived (and died) through the pandemic, as well as a nod to the June 24th St Jean Baptiste Fête Nationale celebrations. A special 10 minute long drone show, put on by Patrice Guy’s North Star Drones company was also something new for the audience in Montreal. I was happy it was a separate show, rather than interwoven with the fireworks. This was also a pandemic tribute and thrilled the audience.
Both displays were designed by GFA Pyro’s Eric Cardinal with the pre-opening show’s soundtrack being also crafted by competition technical director, Paul Csukassy and the actual opening show’s music being put together by Eric.
Perfect weather was present for both displays, together with the voice of the fireworks, maître de cérémonie M. Michel Lacroix. And so a familiar and comforting pre-display ceremony in both cases, with the usual atmospheric music of Vangelis setting the atmosphere.
Both displays were good, but I found the real opening show, A Tribute to Prince, to be the better of the two. The soundtrack was excellent and Eric made good use of ramp 5 (the floating pontoons) to add extra dimension to the display as well as some great note-synchronized letter mines firing 1, 2 then 1 2 3 4 during the Raspberry Beret track. The audience was especially enthusiastic throughout the entire display and gave the GFA team a well deserved standing ovation at the end.
It was great to be back, front and centre, reporting on the competition again. A feeling of normality in these still abnormal times. The joy was palpable for all to see and feel. Summer had returned to Montreal with the fireworks!