Hey Paul,


How many people actually showed up for La Ronde fireworks? It seemed like a lot, I mean ALOT, the place was heavily and massively packed!! I estimated around, taking into consideration Mont-Royal, where I stand at Lorimier and Notre-Dam intersection, La Ronde and maybe you have to take into account out of town people like from Ontario or the rest of the country, and probably the U.S. After taking all these factors int consideration I estimated roughly 650,000 to 800,000. I might be way off, but seriously, that's what it felt like.

I read an artical in the newspaper about the Fireworks and it had a statement saying "police estimate around 2 million spectators in all 10 displays, so that's like more than 200,000 to 250,000 per display in other words, except for the final, where much more showed up. I don't know if you read it, but I was delighted to read about the results and the fact that Canada won, but I was dissapointed that Italy did not win and England, although they did have adverse conditions. It's sad that only three countries could win when 6 countries deserve a prize. Anyway, that's besides the point knowing the estimations is an interesting fact to actually know the popularity of this competition.

I recently visited your competitions page and I might consider participating in it, but I need a little more detail, but you mentioned that you will be doing that in the coming weeks, so no big rush.

As I was telling Enkil, didn't you think the ending of the final display not remind you of Spain's 2 years ago? Enkil did not remember it to well, but I think you will. Spain's was very similar in a way, but Spain felt a little more intense in the end where there was a lot of colour and a lot of noise!

Oh yeah, HI Enkil, if your still there, let's keep making some conversations about fireworks till next year's competition, you could join in too, if you like Paul, and any other fireworks enthusiasts! Please reply to my questions and estimations soon Paul, and don't hesitate to start any conversations, we must keep the fireworks alive! lol, still , I wish Italy placed 2nd....

Thx,

Trav.

Hi Trav,

the capacity of La Ronde is around 33,000 people and, as far as I know, it was filled to capacity for the closing show. As for how many other spectators there were, it's hard to say. In the past I've seen figures that suggest around 500,000 people are on the streets, in the Old Port, on the Jacques Cartier bridge etc. It's difficult to know exactly, and also difficult to know how many of those are there specifically for the fireworks. The estimate of 200-250,000 per display is probably fairly accurate, given the weather conditions and other things too.

As for the finale of the closing show, indeed, it was excellent and similiar in intensity to the Spanish finale from 2001. However, Panzera finales are always intense and this year's was similiar in that respect to all the closing show finales I've seen. I think it seemed particularly intense this year because we didn't have any other displays with this type of finale.

All that said, I still think one of the most exciting finales I've ever seen was Ipon's in 1997. People were literally screaming at the end - same thing for their finale to Van Halen's Jump in 2000.

It's great to see that the competition is still as popular as ever. One thing we all should remember, though, is that the primary reason for the competition is the entertainment of the public. The actual results are secondary to this. Fireworks are fun and that fact that so many people turn out to watch every year is a testament to that.

Paul.

btw, i thought that the ending didnt last alot, when they bomb

im not sure if it was in 1997, that i saw, im not very sure

i know that there was one that kept bombing non stop at the end, for about like 1 min, something, and that was the longest bombing i ever saw

althro i wish every last display was like that, but it must cost alot

Hello, Trav again.

Yes, it was a great ending, probably the best and most intense finale this year. I don't know about you guys, but I thought after the serious part, I thought an even better final was going to present itself! Really, but as Enkil said, that was a whole lot smaller! Enkil, is that what you meant by not lasting long in the end? Definately remimded me of Spain! I have a feeling next year's competition will be more intense!!

See ya,

Trav.