A group of fireworks enthusiasts could be blowing smoke in their attempt to save the HSBC Celebration of Light.
Patrick Postrehovsky, of Vancouver-based FCV Technologies, Monday launched savethefireworks.ca as a destination for private citizens to raise $400,000 to cover a shortfall that forced the cancellation of the summertime spectacular last week.
“We’re using President Obama as our pinnacle example of what happens when you get people donating and involved at the local level,” he said of the Web 2.0 campaign.
But, according to VFFS board member Shawn Thomas, it's still lights out for the festival.
“If they reach their fundraising goal it still does not save the event because it’s a much more complicated activity than simply coming up with funding at this point in time,” he said.
Thomas said regaining event designation from the city and having sponsors recommit stand as major obstacles.
Postrehovsky plans on holding tours of the barge for media independent of the VFFS.
Said Thomas: “I don’t even know where the barge is.”
