Can Vancouver's New Year's Eve fireworks explode myth of 'no fun city'?

Vancouver will ring in 2016 with a bang actually a longseries of them thanks to pyrotechnicianBrian Oberquell.

Oberquelland hisa six-personcrew are charged with lighting the fuse on the New Year's Eve Vancouver fireworksspectacular set to explodeoverthe skies aboveCanada Place and BurrardInlet at the stroke of midnight.

"It feels real good," said Oberquellfrom the barge which will serve as the launching point for the the high-aerial 11-minutemusic and fireworks extravaganza.

"We love showing people what we do and it's nice to have Vancouverback doing things like this."

Oberquell is referring to a decade-long absence of apublicNew Year's Evecelebration in Vancouver, something critics have said has contributedtothe city's "no fun" reputation.

• New Year's Eve fireworks to light up Vancouver for first time in decade

The midnight fireworkswill be the crowning event on a New Year's Eveof live music,performances and foodslated for the waterfront on Canada PlaceWay between Howeand Burrard streets.

A shorter,family-friendlyfireworks show is set for9 p.m. PT to accommodate younger revellers who can't quite make it to midnight.

Organizer Charles Gautier is hopefulthedebut NYE Vancouverwill prove to be the start ofa new tradition.

"We're very optimistic that this is a great foundation for future years," he said. "We were impressed with the level of support fromsponsors whoagreewith ourvision to have an outdoor event to ring in new year."