(Click on photos to enlarge)

NIGHTS OF THUNDER

West Enders have mixed feelings about the three nights of the Celebration of Light, that bring hundreds of thousands of spectators to our 'hood to ooh and aah at the fireworks displays. But we can all pretty much agree that for 30 to 45 minutes the pyrotechnics are amazing.

West Ender Phoenix Seng James enjoys the spectacle from his balcony with a great view English Bay and captured some of the most stunning photos of the event we've ever seen.

WEST END POLICE VOLUNTEERS

Another year of Celebration of Light has gone by smoothly. Thanks are owed to the Vancouver Police Department for their amazing work, to all the visitors for coexisting without conflict, and to our great group of volunteers that patrolled over the three nights, recovering multiple pieces of lost property and even finding a stolen car!

OUR DAY OF PRIDE

Again, West Enders have mixed feelings about the annual excitement surrounding the Pride Parade and attendant celebrations, but when the moment arrives -- well, everybody loves a parade!

Vancouver Police Pipe Band has Pride! (Gordon Hu Photo)

The 2018 iteration of Pride was more tightly marshalled than in previous years, with what seemed (and sounded) like more marching music (including the Vancouver City Police Pipe Band), and far fewer gaps between parade entries. Gone was the frequent tedium while crowds waited for the next float to arrive, and as a result nearly 30 minutes were shaved off of recent years' three-hour events. Getting us down to the Beach Party all that much sooner!

West Enders, including Gordon Hu, captured some memorable moments as the day unfolded.

'Til next year!