Firework festival to spark neighbourly competition, community in Saskatoon

Saskatoon is set to light up the night with its annual firework festival this weekend.

Shad Ali, the organizer of the 2023 Nutrien Firework Festival, said the theme of this year’s festival is “what friends are for.”

“We know that there’s kind of an unspoken trust between that,” Ali said of the importance of honouring friendship.

He shared that the festival will celebrate those close relationships each person counts on while offering family fun and a friendly city-wide neighbourhood competition.

Going with the theme, Ali highlighted the importance of spending time with close friends during his appearance Wednesday on the CKOM Morning Show.

“Usually there’s food involved, so we’re going to have probably more food trucks than you’ve ever seen,” he said, adding that cuisine from around the world will be featured, including from Jamaica, India, China and Mexico.

The Prairie Lily sails on the South Saskatchewan River during Saskatoon’s annual fireworks festival. (Tourism Saskatoon)

Food and entertainment will be spread through areas on the Saskatoon Traffic Bridge, River Landing and in Rotary Park.

“Any one of those spots is a great spot from which to see the fireworks,” Ali shared.

Two unique fireworks shows are scheduled, one for each night of the festival. The show Friday will be put on by a team from Ontario. Ali said both fireworks shows will be choreographed to music, with songs and lyrics relating to the theme.

In addition to the food trucks and family-friendly entertainment, Ali said the festival is partnered with the city to put on a community challenge this year.

People from neighbourhoods throughout Saskatoon are encouraged to partake in “silly” games to help their area win a $500 prize.

Ali said the hope is that this will help people living in Saskatoon interact with and get to know more of their neighbours while encouraging them to take more ownership in and for their communities, in ways like volunteering.

No signup is necessary to participate in the neighbourhood challenge, Ali said; people can just show up and have fun.

Fireworks shows during the annual festival will start around 9:30 or 9:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night, depending on the time of sunset, wind and other factors.