Drone Shows Gain Traction As Cleaner, Safer 4th of July Celebrations Evolve To Protect the Environment

More and more cities switch from regular fireworks to drone shows around the 4th of July every year. Drone shows are safer and better for the environment.

Lots of people across the country are interested in this new trend because it gives a great show without the risks of fireworks.

Drone Shows Gain Traction as Cleaner, Safer 4th of July Celebrations Evolve to Protect the Environment — (Photo: Getty Images/ Fred Tanneau)

A better option that is safer and better for the environment

Sky Elements, a top company that puts on drone shows, is at the front of this change, with 35 public Fourth of July drone shows planned nationwide. These shows will light up the air from Florida to Washington State with 100 to 500 drones.

As people who used to work with fireworks, Sky Elements' owners see drones as a "perfect alternative to events that cannot host firework shows due to burn bans." Drone shows are safer than fireworks shows, so states like New Mexico, Colorado, and California are choosing them.

Plus, drone shows are better because they don't leave any trash behind. The founders said that drone shows are becoming increasingly popular because they are safer and better for the earth.

The use of drones isn't just limited to towns. California tourist spots like Napa and Tahoe City only use drones because flames threaten them. Salt Lake City also moves to drone shows because of wildfires and air pollution risks.

Lynze Twede, who is in charge of public park events in Salt Lake City, said that everyone who went agreed with it. She said that drone shows are more flexible than fireworks shows, which tend to look the same every year.

The head of Sky Elements Drone Shows, Rick Boss, said the business had grown by 60% in the last year. He said it was "still relatively small, but so novel and effective in storytelling that people love it." Boss noted that drones are "basically just flying light bulbs."

Designers customize each show for more than 100 hours, and a pilot ensures they stay on track with their goal. In a 12-minute show, they can make up to 20 forms, pictures, and messages.

Merging Tradition with Innovation

Many towns are all for drone shows, but some combine them with regular fireworks shows. At Sky Element's "Let Freedom Sing" event in Nashville, 40,000 pounds of fireworks and the drone show will be timed to music. The Kansas City Royals will also use this hybrid method after their home game against the Tampa Bay Rays. They will combine the two after the game.

Robert Gonzalez, who organizes the yearly Gloria Molina Grand Park event in downtown Los Angeles (L.A.), switched out the fireworks for a drone show last year. Although there was some doubt initially, the response was mostly positive.

Gonzalez remembered that everyone else had their phones out and were looking up at the sky to record the moment. He said that because of how well it went, this year's drone show was even bigger, with 800 drones instead of 500.

Drone shows are safer and better for the earth than fireworks, even though they cost more to set up initially. They are quieter and don't leave behind trash or smoke, so pets and people sensitive to noise can use them. Gonzalez thinks drones will change how people celebrate in the future and wants to be the first person to use this new technology.

But not everyone is ready to give up flames for good. In 2022, a drone show in Galveston, Texas, had problems. The next year, fireworks were used instead.

The boss tells groups to consider how ready their community is for a change like this. He says that if there were no rules against fireworks, he would suggest they use both choices.

Today, cities and towns nationwide will light up their skies with fireworks. Instead, drone shows will shine brightly as a cleaner, safer option.