Organizers say new event set to light up Whitefish Island

Whitefish Island is set to play host to an international fireworks competition in 2019.

Organizers of the first-ever event say Batchewana First Nation's chief and council have provided approval to the International Fireworks Committee to host the event Feb. 18 to 24, 2019.

Ten-minute pyro-musical displays will be launched at 6:30 p.m. from Whitefish Island, and streamed live on SooToday.com. Charity partners will host a VIP meet and greet in exclusive venues following the event.

The inaugural event is set to feature Team Finland, which took first place in competitions in both Timmins and Niagara in 2018.

“We are grateful to all of our volunteers for taking time out their own schedules to make this happen," said Mark Varrin, event organizer. "All the basic expenses have been covered and now we need to fundraise for Team Finland's flights and actual pyro cost (approximately $22,000 a night). Along with corporate and business sponsors, we are asking individuals to back us up to make this event huge! Every dollar counts. We have set up a GoFundMe campaign.”

Organizers say since there will be no charge to see the event, donations would be helpful to bring additional teams and to add additional nights.