In exactly two weeks from now, the 37th edition of the Montreal international fireworks competition, L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, will start! I have been busy since the release of the full program, so here are some personal views about it and various thoughts!

First, I am somewhat concerned with this schedule organized around Thursdays and one Sunday night. The decline of attendance is a long-term trend which has accelerated last summer with Six Flags’ new pricing strategy (on which the company has partly retreated this year). Although it has the advantage of freeing up the weekend agenda of those who attend every shows, the schedule may impact even further the size of the audience. This is the first edition without any Saturday show since 1989.

Second, I am curious to find out what the new entrants from Ukraine, Belgium, and Finland have to offer! “Dance of Fire” is the first competitor from a post-Soviet state. People from another Ukrainian company visited La Ronde in 2006, but they have never produced a display here. The Belgian and Finnish teams have an attractive record of achievements and these shows are certainly anticipated. Macedo's has the most intriguing theme, which appears as a sequel of another Portuguese display, the award-winning one of Grupo Luso Pirotecnia on television in 2019 (“Stay tuned!”). The USA are back into the competition this year. However, I am not sure what to think about the double appearance of Rozzi Fireworks, the first case where a company is listed for a competition and an off-competition show within the same season. Finally, the closing show on Metallica on August 10 will occur just before Metallica’s actual shows scheduled in the Montreal Olympic Stadium on August 11-13.

Third, this is formally the first edition following the 25-year directorship of Martyne Gagnon. A post on social media during La Ronde opening weekend showed that she is still involved in some park activities with a temporary contract, but her actual engagement in the competition this year remains to be seen. There are also a number of new people in the marketing/public relations department. We have already seen more posts related to the competition on La Ronde and l’IFLQ official Facebook pages than in previous years, so it will be interesting to monitor that side of the event as well.

A couple of “fun facts” :

* The 2023 jury is the 30th popular jury, a concept introduced in 1992.
* This is the 17th edition sponsored by Loto-Québec, now the longest sponsorship in the history of the competition (Benson & Hedges has commissioned 16 seasons).
* More important, as Travis wrote above, this forum turns 20! Congratulations to Paul for this achievement!

Fred

despite the awkward schedule! I think the once-a-week scheduling, though, could be beneficial in that it would minimize the risk that a show meets with unfavorable weather conditions (in terms of rainfall).

Interesting. Does this mean that teams are being given longer than the 5 days they have gotten in the past?

Interesting. Does this mean that teams are being given longer than the 5 days they have gotten in the past?


No, I very much doubt it. 2 days pre-montage then 3 days on the ramps. There's been other years with a schedule with mainly 1 show per week. I know the La Ronde crew prefer it that way as it's less hectic and therefore there's less pressure and fewer mistakes.

Paul

For those who may not know, the opening show is cancelled due to air quality issues related to forest fires in Northern Quebec.

Fred

This is what the opening show's soundtrack would have been: http://montreal-fireworks.com/ReportBlog/?p=2019

Just to announce that I celebrate 20 years of membership on this forum! Indeed, it was this very evening 20 years ago that I decided to become a member, not realizing what an incredible journey it would be!

Trav.