Roughly 250,000 people converged along the shores of English Bay for the opening fireworks display of the Celebration of Light Saturday night, according to Vancouver police estimates.
The crowds gathered to see the display by Team China were somewhat smaller than those seen in previous years, said Vancouver police Const. Brian Montague, and they were relatively well-behaved.
“We did have a few small problems, but nothing spectacular by any means,” Montague said.
Regional Transit Police also reported relatively few incidents, noting in a release that officers had conducted 17 liquor pour-outs -- significantly fewer than the 49 reported during one night of the event last year.
Transit Police also arrested a 48-year-old intoxicated man at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station for breach of peace and a 19-year-old man at Scott Road Station for intoxication in a public place.
Roughly a dozen tickets were issued, for various violations, Transit Police said.
Vancouver police also issued “a few” tickets and poured out a few containers of liquor during the celebration, Montague said.
The Celebration of Light will continue on Wednesday, with a display by Team Brazil. Team Canada will produce the grand finale on Saturday.
