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Billy Barker Days to feature dazzling light show

The Society is planning a laser show instead of fireworks this year
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Pixabay photo

Liz-Anne Eyford

Observer Contributor

The traditional end to our unique festival, Billy Barker Days, is a fireworks show that delights all ages. When all goes well, the finale fills the sky with light, colour and sound and earns rousing applause from both sides of the river.

That is when all goes right. In the last four years, the fireworks had to be cancelled twice because the threat of fire is far too dangerous these days. When held in December, the condensation cloud dampened the show, but it was still worth the try. So, to ensure there are visual delights to wrap things up, the Billy Barker Days team has decided that a laser show is the way to go. This format was tried about 20 years ago, when the industry was still evolving.

This year, the NU-Salt Laser company will present a light display, not just on Sunday, but on Friday and Saturday as well. This company services the western US and Canada, so Quesnel is fortunate to have secured its talents. Tim and Chris, all the way from Sacramento, California, will set up equipment on Thursday morning. As a bonus, the local sounds will be provided by Quesnel’s own professional, Barry McKillican.

The display will be outside in LeBourdais park. Animated graphics will be directed onto a 30 foot by 40 foot screen, and then enhanced by four laser beam and two fog machines. The lasers are beams of light and for them to be visible in the air, the light needs some sort of material to pass through so the photons can reflect or refract and become visible. Thus the fog.

The organizers hope for perfect weather – no wind – to make these shows a great success.

On Friday, July 20, the show will have a country flair, and on Saturday, groove with the rock ‘n’ roll theme. Then on Sunday, there will be a mix of music, so you’ll need to show up to find out what that is.

And, as if it couldn’t get any better, all of this is free.

So, at about 10:15 p.m. each evening, join other festival goers to experience a spectacular display, and then give the whole team a resounding thank you for all their efforts.

Billy Barker Days runs from July 19-22 2018.

READ MORE: Billy Barker Days Society gets set for 44th annual festival


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