… or, rather, we saw them in July and August! It’s been a busy this last while, and I just realised I’d prepared but not published this post. So, here you go ….

This is Vancouver, where thousands of us converge on English Bay to make mad dashes into the waters off English Bay (or watch the madness!) for the city’s Polar Bear Swim each New Year’s Day.

So, when you have gorgeous mid-summer weather and an annual fireworks festival, you can imagine how many of us turn out to enjoy good company and watch the skies light up.

This annual event is known as the Honda Celebration of Light. It’s a tradition for Vancouverites of all ages, and for visitors.

The Celebration of Light is a friendly international competition of sorts.

Each year, three different countries offer up their own fireworks show, accompanied by music.

The entries are judged, and the winning country is announced after all three fireworks displays have been completed. This year’s entries are from South Africa (July 28), Sweden (August 1) and South Korea (August 4).

Last Saturday, for South Africa’s entry, we joined the crowds at Kits Beach.

The shows begin at 10:00 p.m. (sharp!), but there’s fun to be had with good company and  gorgeous west coast views even before the sun drops over the Pacific.

There are plenty of people out viewing the show from the waters, as well – and the boats make for part of the spectacle.

All the photos you see here are from Sweden’s entry in the competition last night.

For Sweden’s show, I caught these shots from a great (and, surprisingly, not overcrowded) vantage point on the Granville Street Bridge.

I wanted to capture shots above and around the city’s art deco Burrard Street Bridge.

Do you enjoy summer fireworks festivals where you live?

Or does the place you call home have other traditional summer events that draw people together?