Here’s what caused the delay for Sidney’s Canada Day fireworks on Monday night (VIDEO)

If you were among the thousands who gathered along the waterfront in Sidney Monday night, you likely found yourself checking the time more than once as the sky stayed stubbornly dark.

Every year, the Town of Sidney puts on their Canada Day fireworks a day early—on June 30th—to avoid competing with the big show in downtown Victoria.

This year’s display was scheduled for 10:15 p.m., but as the minutes ticked by, the crowd began to wonder what was going on.

The delay stretched over half an hour, leaving plenty of time for speculation. Some blamed the gusty winds that had picked up earlier in the evening. Others figured the proximity to the airport had something to do with it, especially with planes occasionally flying overhead.

A few wondered if there was a technical issue with the fireworks themselves.

As the wait went on, patience started to wear thin. About 20 minutes in, a few people began packing up their blankets and lawn chairs, and just after 10:45 p.m., a noticeable number had called it a night.

Still, many stuck around, making the most of the moment. In classic small-town spirit, a spontaneous 10-second countdown erupted from the pier, with hundreds of voices hoping to will the fireworks into action. It didn’t quite work—but it did get a good laugh.

Finally, just before 11 p.m., the show began. Cheers broke out across the waterfront as the first bursts of colour lit up the sky, bringing an energetic end to the long wait.

As for what actually caused the delay? The Town of Sidney cleared things up the next day:

“We hope you enjoyed the fireworks on June 30th! Thank you for all those who waited until delayed flights had passed overhead, and it was safe to start the show,” the town said in a statement. “While we always aim to start fireworks on time, factors like wind, weather conditions, and air traffic can impact the timing.”

In the end, the show went on—and it was worth the wait. If you want to watch (or rewatch) the fireworks, our livestream is available below—just make sure to skip ahead past the over 30-minute delay!