FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION -- The traditional fireworks display at Marina Park was a no-go in 2020, but that didn't stop nearby Fort William First Nation from delivering a spectacular replacement from atop Mount McKay.
Community organizers said thanks to donations from as far away as Calgary, they were able to light up the night sky on Wednesday night with about four times their usual Canada Day fireworks cache.
Coun. Leo Bannon, the driving force behind the display, said he's been doing it for 15 years and this year was even more special, given the decision by the City of Thunder Bay not to hold its own show, because of COVID-19 concerns.
"We usually do one trailer, but this year a lot of people kicked in. People from the other side of the bridge kicked in, some from Toronto, some from Calgary. I just want to see it keep going."
Bannon said next year the goal is to host a professional show and there's even preliminary discussions about how to shoot the fireworks off from the mountain top, as opposed to the Mount McKay Lookout parking lot.
