Victoria Day 2023 fireworks display set for Ashbridges Bay on night of Monday, May 22

The City of Toronto’s traditional Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park is set to take place on Monday, May 22, at 10 p.m.

The display is expected to last approximately 13 minutes.

Those planning on attending are urged to use public transportation as large crowds usually come out for the event.

Ashbridges Bay Park is located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E. at the foot of Coxwell Avenue at Lake Ontario.

There is good viewing of the display from Woodbine Beach and along the Boardwalk.

Toronto residents are also reminded that it is only legal to light off fireworks on private property without a permit on Victoria Day and Canada Day. Displays on private property cannot be set off after 11 p.m.

It is illegal at all times for residents to light off personal fireworks on public property, including parks and beaches.

For more information on the City of Toronto’s bylaws regarding the use of fireworks, please go to https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/fireworks/

For those planning a fireworks display on their own private property this Victoria Day, Toronto Fire Services has the following safety tips:

• Purchase fireworks from a retailer displaying a City-issued fireworks vendor permit.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s label directions.
• Before fireworks and sparklers are used, they must be kept out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard or drawer.
• Discharge the fireworks a safe distance from combustible materials such as buildings and trees.
• Before they are ignited, fireworks should be buried at least half their length into a bucket of sand if portable firing bases are not available. Plant the fireworks directly into the sand to make sure each piece is firmly supported and is aimed straight and away from the audience.
• Light the fireworks at arm’s length, stand back and keep your face turned away. If a firework fails to ignite, do not attempt to re-light it. Let it sit in the base for 10 to 15 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.
• The adult igniting the fireworks must wear eye protection and avoid having any part of his or her body over the firework.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never discharge fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• Never discharge fireworks indoors.
• If someone suffers a burn, run cool water over it for a few minutes and consider further treatment.
• In order to prevent an accident or injury, sparklers should be doused with water, or allowed to cool in a safe place away from children playing. The ends of sparklers continue to stay hot for some time and will easily burn a child’s skin, clothing or other nearby combustible material.
• Do not allow sparklers to be used indoors.
• Children make a great audience but they must never be permitted to light fireworks. Adults are responsible for handling the fireworks while spectators watch the display from a safe distance.
• One designated adult should ignite the fireworks.
• Ignited fireworks must never be hand-held.
• Light only one firework item at a time.
• Always have water on hand – a garden hose and bucket of water – to soak fireworks after they have fired.
• Used fireworks should be soaked thoroughly before disposing of them in your garbage bin. Fireworks should never go in recycling.

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