Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo announces New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by Syncrude to go ahead on December 31

(Fort McMurray – December 17, 2020) – The Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo (RRC) is pleased to announce the New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by Syncrude will go ahead as scheduled on December 31, 2020 at 6:05 pm.

MacDonald Island Park has hosted a fun, family-friendly event every New Year’s Eve that includes a variety of events, activities and entertainment. The annual Craze presented by Syncrude will not take place this year due to current provincial COVID-19 restrictions.

“We recognize and empathize with the disappointment community members may feel regarding the Craze presented by Syncrude. The team at MacDonald Island Park shares this disappointment as this event is one of the most popular community events we host every year,” said Graig Walsh, RRC Chief Executive Officer. “However, we are very pleased to have received approval to move ahead with the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by Syncrude, although the event may look a little different this year.”

There will be a limited number of parking spots available at MacDonald Island Park for those who want to view the fireworks from this location. Those wishing for an opportunity to access one of the limited spots to view the fireworks from the MacDonald Island Park parking lot will be able to do so through registering to participate in a random draw:

·       Registration for the random draw will open at 10:00 a.m. on Friday December 18 and close at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday December 22.

·       After registration closes, a random draw generator will be used to select successful registrants from the registration list.

·       Successful registrants will receive an email containing confirmation of a spot at MacDonald Island Park to view the fireworks, which will be required for presentation on arrival at the parking lot on December 31.

·       The RRC anticipates the process of arrival check-in, fireworks viewing and departure will take approximately two hours for individuals choosing to participate in viewing the fireworks at MacDonald Island Park based on parking lot capacity, traffic flow and fireworks show time.

·       When at the MacDonald Island Park parking lot, as per Alberta Health Services directives, fireworks guests are not permitted to exit their vehicles, and there are no food services, washrooms, or other amenities available for public access during this event as all buildings at the Park are currently closed in alignment with COVID-19 restrictions.

·       Community members can visit this link to register to participate in the random draw: www.macdonaldisland.ca/NYE

For those wishing to view the fireworks from the comfort of their own home, the fireworks display will be live streamed to the MacDonald Island Park Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/MacDonaldIsland

Said Graig Walsh: “We recognize the process for the fireworks this year may change the experience for our guests and visitors; we are thankful for the patience, support and understanding of our community as we continue to work to bring family-friendly events to the region during this challenging time.”

You can find more information on the New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by Syncrude at: www.macdonaldisland.ca/NYE