July 4th Drone Shows Offer Quiet Alternative for Veterans, Pets, Wildlife

DOVER, Florida – Cities and counties across the state are going high-tech for the Fourth of July. Instead of traditional fireworks, they’re lighting up the sky with drones.

American flags, eagles and fighter jets are all configurations created using drones.

“A drone is essentially a pixel in the sky, so we’re painting the sky with pixels,” said Tyler Jack of Sky Elements.

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This year, some communities are putting traditional fireworks on the back burner and are opting to organize these kinds of light shows instead.

The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds will welcome 100 drones into the sky on July 4. And in Ocala, the city is hosting “The Patriotic Skies – A Fourth of July Drone Experience” – its first-ever drone show. The 15-minute show features more than 300 drones.

Organizers said they replaced the fireworks show because drones are more inclusive and environmentally friendly.

“Some communities have burn bans, especially out West where you have to worry about wildfires,” Jack said.

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Because there are no flashes or loud explosions, drones don’t bother veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may experience anxiety and flashbacks.

“As a veteran or anyone who has a hard time with loud noises, we want to make sure that we can put on an event that everyone can come and have a good time. Really, a drone show. It’s a quiet fireworks display that they think will be great for all the families that come,” said Greg Davis, a spokesman for the city of Ocala.

They also don’t disturb pets or wildlife like black hartebeests, a threatened shorebird species on St. Pete Beach and Reddington Shores, which have banned personal fireworks.

“The birds immediately fly away because they think they’re being attacked, and a loud noise makes it sound like you’re being attacked. So it’s pretty stressful for the birds. They get cranky and hostile. They don’t protect their young, that kind of thing,” said Harry Tobin, a bird keeper with Audubon Florida.

The drone show at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds begins July 4 at 9 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a parking fee.

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