Fireworks Display-of-the-Century

Alberta is counting down to the launch of the biggest fireworks display in 100 years. Some 40,000 fireworks "shots", synchronized to live music, will dance through the western sky in 10 locations on September 1st, lighting up the province's diverse landscape.

Explosions of green shot underneath brilliant reds will symbolize the Wild Rose. A blue and yellow colour combination will represent expansive blue prairie skies cascading over fields of canola. The fireworks will be synchronized with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Alberta Centennial Jazz Band in Edmonton as they play an originally-scored composition written specifically for Alberta's centennial birthday party. The performances in the newly re-opened Jubilee Auditoria will be beamed to all the fireworks locations.

More than 80 highly-skilled pyrotechnicians have been brought together from across the country to help with the mammoth event. They are working to create an intense, intricate and sophisticated 12-minute sensory experience seen at the same time in Banff, Bonnyville, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Wainwright, the locations of the province's local AlbertaSpirit parties.

At precisely 9:55 p.m., Premier Ralph Klein will press a button in Calgary's Olympic Plaza to trigger the simultaneous start of the 10-location fireworks display so spectacular, it is expected to be seen from space.

The fireworks displays will be best seen from the AlbertaSpirit party sites. The full impact will not be seen from other locations, so people are encouraged to join their region's centennial party. The show will also be seen and heard on giant jumbotrons at each live location. A montage of each location's fireworks will be broadcast with the music live on Citytv, ACCESS and Canadian Learning Television.

Optimal fireworks viewing for each AlbertaSpirit location

Banff: Central Park

Bonnyville: Bonnyville Pro Rodeo Grounds

Calgary: Olympic Plaza Cultural District

Edmonton: Legislature Grounds

Fort McMurray: MacDonald Island Park

Grande Prairie: Centre 2000

Lethbridge: Henderson Lake Park

Medicine Hat: Clay Industries National Historic District

Red Deer: Westerner Park

Wainwright: Wallace Park