At Riverside Park in Guelph, Ontario, the Rotary Club of Guelph has cancelled the fireworks and inaugural laser show planned for Sparkles in the Park’s New Year’s Eve finale on December 31, 2025, citing high wind gusts and freezing precipitation as safety hazards. The park’s signature light displays and the free carousel, sponsored by Wood Development Group, will remain open through the evening.
Club president Brian Martin said the decision was made because setting up pyrotechnics and laser equipment in high winds would risk injury to volunteers and visitors, so the fireworks, originally slated for 8:00 p.m., were called off. Volunteer shifts for the fireworks crew have been cancelled; gate collection and carousel operator shifts remain unchanged.
Sparkles in the Park is the Rotary Club’s primary annual fundraiser, supporting local community grants and the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin. Organizers are urging visitors to enjoy the lights and continue contributing via on-site contactless ‘tap’ terminals or online donations to help meet their charitable commitments for 2026.
A Rotary Club statement said safety was the club’s first priority and expressed disappointment at losing the event’s big finale while emphasizing the need to protect volunteers and the public. The fundraising lead noted that Sparkles is a major driver of the club’s community grants program. A volunteer coordinator added that the carousel will continue operating to keep the event family-friendly.
Now in its 28th year, Sparkles in the Park has weathered weather-related disruptions before, including a full closure in December 2022. With thousands expected to visit, the drive-through option lets families enjoy the displays from the warmth of their vehicles despite the cancelled finale.
