There is a fireworks competition that takes place over two weeks with shows on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Technically this competition is in Gatineau, Quebec, but the fireworks arc out over the Ottawa river for safety reasons which means it is just as visible from the Ottawa, Ontario side. For a fee you can watch from Gatineau in a chair and hear the accompanying music but for the price of a drink I can just walk to the pub next door and have a great view from their balcony. Or for nothing at all I can walk two blocks to Major Hill Park with a chair or towel of my own to sit on.

What could be better than free professional grade fireworks within trivial walking distance of your home? I tell you, I’ve got it made here.