Nineteen cities across Canada, including Victoria, will unite in a fight night celebration on Saturday to ring in 2017 and honour Canada’s 150th year.
It’s a New Year’s Eve bash that the capital city hasn’t seen in decades.
‘Spirit of 150 Victoria – First Night’ will feature a festive lighting display, live performances, local food vendors and a fireworks show.
More than 30,000 people are expected to crowd Victoria’s Inner Harbour starting at 5 p.m.
The family-friendly event will kick-off with a First Nations Welcome Ceremony and performances by the Lekwungen Dancers and the Esquimalt Singers.
Winnipeg-based rock/soul band Jeremie & The Delicious Hounds, Latin Grammy award winner Alex Cuba and the Vancouver-based electronic rock band Dear Rouge will also put on a show for the crowd.
Organizers are taking direction from Ottawa, which is chipping in $224,000 for the festivities.
This means fireworks in Victoria will begin at 9 p.m. so they coincide with the nation’s capital.
The multicultural celebration will wrap up at 9:30 p.m.
BC Transit will run on its usual Saturday schedule and service will be free after 6 p.m.
A number of road closures will be in effect throughout the day:
- Government Street between Belleville and Superior Streets will remain closed all day and will reopen on Sunday at 6 a.m.
- Government Street between Fort and Belleville Streets will be closed from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
- Belleville Street between Government and Menzies Streets will be closed from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
