Aurora celebrates Canada 150 with a bang, grand finale fireworks
Aurora's Canada 150 celebrations could include a full military tattoo, indigenous powwow and a grand fireworks display

Yorkregion.com
March 13, 2017
By Amanda Persico

Plans for celebrating Canada's 150 are well underway in Aurora.

Council recently approved a $62,000 budget for celebrations to include a military tattoo, powwow and a grand fireworks display to end the year.

The town received $20,000 in federal funding for an indigenous powwow event.

The budget also includes about $10,000 for enhanced marketing efforts including Canada 150 banners and signs.

The town opted to host a grand firework display as part of the annual family First Night celebrations Dec. 31

There was much discussion among councillors about the timing of the grand fireworks display, with some wanting a large display on Canada Day due to poor weather conditions in the winter.

“You can’t control the weather,” said Mayor Geoffrey Dawe. “I remember some Canada Days when it rained.”

The idea for having fireworks on the last day of the year instead of on Canada Day was to “to finish the year off with a bang,” Dawe added.

Initially, the town had about $25,000 in the Canada 150 budget for a park legacy project that would include a water feature.

Instead, council opted to add the $25,000 and water feature to the Library Square design.

For more Canada 150 news, quizzes and events, visit yorkregion.com.