Get ready to have a blast: Nutrien Fireworks Festival returns to Saskatoon riverbank

A popular tradition in Saskatoon to kick off the Labour Day weekend is resuming with a bang this year.

The Nutrien Fireworks Festival returns to the banks of the South Saskatchewan River on Friday and Saturday.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event, which was replaced by an online show in February.

Organizer Shad Ali said it’s great to be back on the riverbank with spectators again.

“To get people to this riverbank and celebrate with each other is going to be pretty special,” Ali said.

“I know we still need to take some precautions and keep each other safe, and we’ll do that. We’re encouraging people to wear masks when they come down and to bring some hand sanitization.”

The festival starts both days at 5 p.m. The festivities include food vendors, entertainment and kids’ activities capped off with the fireworks display each night choreographed to music.

The firework shows will begin each night shortly after 9:30 p.m.

“(There are) unique shows both nights,” said Ali. “Our show Friday will say thank you and honour our frontline workers for all they’ve doing for us.

“Saturday night we have a special Indigenous feature. There will be cultural performances and the firework show itself will have all First Nations music. There is some special messaging that’s coming as part of that.”

Unlike the event in 2019, there will be activities on both side of the riverbank, River Landing and Rotary Park, connected by Traffic Bridge.

To accommodate the festival, Traffic Bridge closed to vehicles on Friday at 9 a.m. with the Broadway Bridge closing at 6:30 p.m.

More information on the festival can be found here.