Drones over fireworks: US chooses cleaner, greener 4th of July celebrations

As the Fourth of July approaches, cities and towns across the United States are preparing for celebrations. However, this year, many traditional fireworks displays are being replaced by drones.

The popularity of drone displays has surged over the past few years, captivating audiences with their impressive performances. From ringing in the Queen’s Jubilee and the King’s Coronation to breaking Guinness World Records, drones have become a staple in major celebrations.

Even Disney has joined the trend, launching its drone show, “Disney Dreams That Soar,” over Disney Springs.

The shift towards drone shows is also driven by safety concerns, environmental benefits, and the impressive visual spectacles they provide.

A safer and environment friendly alternative

Sky Elements, a leading drone show company , is at the forefront of this transformation with 35 public Fourth of July drone shows scheduled across the country. These shows, featuring between 100 and 500 drones, will light up the skies from Florida to Washington State.

As reported by IoT World Today , the founders, who come from a fireworks background, see drones as a “perfect alternative to events that cannot host firework shows due to burn bans.”

States such as New Mexico, Colorado, and California are choosing drone shows because they are safe from fires. Drone shows also don’t leave any mess behind, making them a cleaner choice.

“Drone shows are surging in popularity because they are safer and more environmentally friendly,” the founders emphasized.

Merging tradition with innovation

While many cities are fully embracing drone shows, others are integrating them with traditional fireworks . For instance, Sky Element’s ‘Let Freedom Sing’ event in Nashville will feature 40,000 pounds of pyrotechnics synchronized to music alongside the drone display.

This hybrid approach is also being adopted by the Kansas City Royals, who will combine both elements after their home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In downtown Los Angeles (L.A.), Robert Gonzalez, the organizer of the annual Gloria Molina Grand Park event, replaced the traditional fireworks with a drone show last year, as reported by USA Today . Despite initial uncertainty, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.

“Everyone around me was gazing up in the air with their phones trying to capture the moment,” Gonzalez recalled. The success has led to an even larger drone show this year, increasing the number of drones from 500 to 800.

The growing popularity of drone shows

The adoption of drone shows is not limited to cities. Tourist destinations like Napa and Tahoe City in California, which have been threatened by wildfires , are opting for drones alone. Salt Lake City, facing wildfire danger and air pollution concerns, is also switching to drone shows.

“It was widely accepted by everybody who attended,” said Lynze Twede, Salt Lake City’s manager of public lands events, as quoted by USA Today . Drones can create different shows every year, while fireworks often look the same.

Rick Boss, president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, said the company’s business has increased by 60% in the past year. “It’s still relatively small, but it’s so novel and tells a story so well that people love it,” he said.

According to Boss, drones are  “basically just flying light bulbs.” Designers spend over 100 hours customizing each show, while a pilot ensures they follow their mission. They can create up to 20 shapes, images, and messages during a 12-minute performance.

The future of celebrations

Despite the higher initial costs compared to fireworks, drone shows offer significant advantages in safety and environmental impact . They don’t leave debris or smoke and are quieter, making them suitable for pets and people sensitive to noise.

Gonzalez thinks drones are the future of celebrations and wants to lead the way in using this new technology.

However, not everyone is ready to abandon fireworks entirely. In Galveston, Texas, technical problems with a drone show in 2022 led to a return to fireworks the following year.

Boss advises organizers to consider their community’s readiness for such a switch. “If there’s not a barrier to fireworks, I recommend they do both,” he said.

Vibrant fireworks displays will still dazzle in compliant venues like Arcadia, Crescenta Valley, Dodger Stadium, El Segundo, and Gloria Molina Grand Park in L.A.