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Road closures: Honda Celebration of Light

China will be the first to thrill on-lookers at the Honda Celebration of Light which will see up to 500,000 people squeeze into Vancouver's West End each night for three separate firework shows.

It's the 25th year of the popular event with the first display going tonight at 10 p.m. PT.

Brazil will then take its turn on July 29th, while Canada closes out this year's edition of the festival on August 1st.

"I mean this is the greatest celebration in Canada, and we've won that award, so I can say that," said John Reynolds, who is chairman of the event.

For the first time at the event there will be several areas set up selling liquor.

Several hundred officers from the Vancouver Police Department will be on patrol, looking for people trying to bring outside alcohol into the show.

Vancouver Park Board Rangers will also attend to look out for people smoking.

The Celebration of Light is exempt from the current fireworks ban because it is held on a barge in English Bay.

Police are urging those heading to the fireworks to use transit and allow extra time to reach the viewing areas.

Road closures are in effect from 7:30 p.m. PT in the West End, including: Davie Street, Denman Street and Beach Avenue.

Access roads into Kits Point are closed from 6:00 p.m. PT.

Roads will re-open once crowds have dispersed at approximately 11:00 p.m. PT.

Vancouver city officials are also asking people to pack out their garbage as they say after most other editions of the Celebration of Light, too much waste is left lying on the ground.