Maple Ridge invites residents to Celebrate the Night at the ACT on Oct. 24

Maple Ridge will hold its free Celebrate the Night community event at the ACT Arts Centre on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event, moved to the ACT this year, will offer light displays, food trucks, games, activities, music and live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m., rain or shine. Fireworks will conclude the evening at 8:15 p.m.

Mayor Dan Ruimy said the indoor setting will give families a more comfortable place to enjoy much of the event during unpredictable fall weather while retaining the outdoor fireworks finale. Activities include roving entertainers, balloon twisting, face painting and a contortionist performance. Residents can enter a costume contest by posting a costume photo to Instagram or Facebook on Oct. 24, tagging @YourMapleRidge and using #CelebrateTheNight. Details are available at MapleRidge.ca/CelebrateTheNight.

The fireworks display will be viewed from the parking lot behind the ACT Arts Centre, beside the Haney Transit Loop. A quieter early-access period for people with diverse disabilities and their families will run from 5:30 to 6 p.m., with reduced crowds and shorter lineups. A Sensory Room will also be available at the ACT.

To set up and deliver the fireworks display, the parking lot behind the ACT and its access lane will close from 4 to 9 p.m. The Haney Transit Loop is not expected to be affected, although visitors should expect more pedestrian activity and limited parking. From 5 to 9 p.m., underground ACT parking will be accessible only from Dewdney Trunk Road. Residents are encouraged to walk, cycle, take transit or carpool.

The Maple Ridge Fire Department will supervise a safety zone around the launch site. The City also reminds residents that fireworks are prohibited in Maple Ridge without a special events permit.