Competitor #1 - Saturday, July 18 - 9:30pm
Competitor #2 - Saturday, July 25 - 9:30pm
Competitor #3 - Saturday, August 1st - 9:30pm
Competitor #4 - Saturday, August 8 - 9:30pm
Competitor #5 - Saturday, August 15 - 9pm
Competitor #6 - Saturday, August 22 - 9pm
Competitor #7 - Saturday, August 29 - 9pm
Closing night - Saturday, September 5 - 9pm

What would you think of a such schedule? This is not the actual schedule for the 2015 season, but I wonder how successful it may be. It may have the following advantages:

(1) The market of festivals in the Montreal area seems to be much less competitive in August than in June and July. The Quebec and Canada national days, the Francofolies, the Jazz Festival, and Just for Laugh are over. Many of these events, as well as countless smaller activities, didn't exist or were not so large when the Montreal International Fireworks Competition began in 1985. However, there are very few such events in August. From an economic point of view, we may suspect that more potential customers would be "available" from the Construction holidays to the Labor Day weekend, than in June and early July.

(2) Going to La Ronde on a fireworks night is challenging for many people who drive to the Ste. Helene Island. Even for those who go through the public transit, it takes a long time to come back at home. As the population becomes older and that people are used to wake up earlier than in the past, attending a fireworks display at 10:00pm may be too late for many potential viewers. To hold the event later in the summer would give the opportunity to schedule the shows early, as soon as 9:00pm in mid-August. This departure from the traditional 10pm schedule may also contribute to attract more people.

(3) Can you imagine a greatest way to bring the summer to the end with a closing display on the Labor Day weekend!?

What do you think about these ideas?

Fred