Every August, the night skies in Calgary come alive as pyro pros from around the world put on spectacular fireworks shows during GlobalFest. Between August 14 and 23, locals and visitors can indulge in a vast variety of international foods and enjoy vibrant cultural performances.
Wander the grounds and explore the event programming while soaking in the aromas of the festival food. The smell of delicious German Schnitzel, bubble tea and mini donuts fills the air as cultural music sounds throughout the grounds. GlobalFest attendees are full, not just of food, but of new experiences from the richness of the world before them.
As the day draws to an end, attendees are met with a crowd; the show is only just beginning. Elliston Park hosts spectacular pyromusical fireworks shows every year during the festival. To enjoy the magic of the August skies, make sure to come early, around 6-7 p.m.
Beyond the fireworks
The yearly GlobalFest celebration hosts a spectacular nighttime light show, yes. But beyond the fireworks, the festival offers several entertaining things to look forward to, making it a stand-out summertime celebration in Calgary.
GlobalFest has performances, food and pavilions from nearly every part of the globe. The pavilions display international wares in their purest form. The possibilities for gastronomic experiences are endless — the festival features 30 different cultural food vendors.
“We are trying to bring the uniqueness and the strength of all of these various cultures to Calgary. That mosaic is very unique in the world,” says GlobalFest’s chief operating officer, Ken Goosen.
For those searching for a fun and competitive aspect to the day, the festival offers two passport programs — pavilions and cuisine — which offer incredible prizes to those who can fully load their evening and immerse themselves in the grand-scale culture that the festival provides.
This year’s Panasia theme is going to be one for the books, with countries featured in the pyro fireworks festival as follows: USA – last year’s winners – Malaysia, Philippines, China and, for the finale, Canada!
Come prepared
As with every outdoor celebration in Calgary’s festival-rich city, attendees should plan on a long, hot evening ahead. Pack for all circumstances; bring sunscreen, sweaters and raincoats. It’s no secret that Calgary’s weather is unpredictable, so keep in mind that it is better to have it and not need it.
For attendees who have a limited budget, GlobalFest allows participants to bring their own food and beverages (non-alcoholic) into the park; attendees are encouraged and welcome to bring anything that will make the experience more delightful!
On the flip side, you can go from low budget to a high-end VIP experience, where you’ll be fully pampered with an expanded bar, courtesy parking with shuttles, a prime firework viewing spot and light snacks.
If you enjoy an adult beverage, there are five locations throughout the park to satisfy your thirst. There are no designated beer gardens, so guests are free to carry beer, wine or cocktails with them throughout the day.
Bringing people together
It is rare in life to be so close to such amazing pyrotechnics; this experience is more than just the lights. The music is vital, and you feel the rumble of each shell break as the explosives are shot into the sky.
People who are not in the park will not only miss the fireworks being shot but will also miss the unique experience of hearing collective ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ that fill Elliston Park. Also spectacular are all the firework effects GlobalFest can shoot using the lake as a platform. GlobalFest skips fireworks across the water and discharges them up from the lake, sending showers of fireworks and water into the sky.
GlobalFest holds pride in its spectacular fireworks display, but the message that it intends for everyone to carry with them is that of community, togetherness and belonging.
“When you become Canadian, you don’t have to lose and sacrifice your heritage and your ethnicity. You own those and they help colour and inform your Canadian-ness,” says Goosen. “When people think of GlobalFest, they think of the fireworks, but we are so much more than that. We will use the fireworks to bring people together, and it is everything else that we do that is so much more important.”
To learn more, visit globalfest.ca.
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