The boom, bang and pyrotechnic awe of traditional fireworks will be restored for Laguna Beach’s 2025 Fourth of July show after the City Council’s attempt to be more forward-thinking with this year’s drone show failed to enthuse many community members.
The councilmembers agreed unanimously this week to return to shells, rockets and fountains, ditching the drones that were sent up over Heisler Park this summer.
“It’s always good to try something new,” Councilmember Alex Rounaghi said. “But, we’re not Disneyland, and we can’t spend a crazy amount of money. We should go back to fireworks, and if there’s a way to mitigate environmental damage, we should look into it. This is once a year and it’s such an important celebration of our country.”
The city, which for more than 30 years hosted a traditional firework show, opted for the 300-drone show after a recommendation from its Environmental and Sustainability Committee.
Committee members had pushed for the option, they said, to stop ocean pollution and lessen the negative sound impacts on veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, wildlife, and community pets. The drone show at $75,000 for 15 minutes was also almost double the cost of the traditional pyrotechnic display, which is usually set to music and lasts longer.
The 300 drones were launched by an FAA-licensed operator from the lawn bowling greens at Heisler Park and a computerized program synchronized their movement in the sky above. The show included patriotic images, such as the American flag, and iconic Laguna Beach images, such as the lifeguard tower at Main Beach, a surfer and a dolphin.
But those images didn’t stir the usual patriotic feelings, many residents reported after the fact. They were also disappointed that an attempt to synchronize the drone show with a local radio station buffered, making it difficult to get into the holiday spirit.
Councilmembers received a rash of complaints, and many residents said they would seek other options for the Fourth of July celebrations if the traditional fireworks were not restored.
Michael Litschi, the city’s director of transit and community services, coordinated the show and told the council on Tuesday, Sept. 24, while recapping events connected to the Fourth of July holiday in Laguna Beach, that the show got mixed reviews from his perspective.
“Drones are not a fireworks show,” he said. “Folks who lived in north Laguna looked at the back of the drone show.”
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He added that there would be “lots of lessons learned” if the town revisited the option for next year. He said the town of Napa in Central California also tried the drones for the first time this year and “they voted to try it again in 2025.”
Councilmember Bob Whalen asked whether the city might approach some of the local hotels along the coast to do “multiple drone shows.”
He added that while the fireworks have traditionally blasted off from Heisler Park just north of Main Beach, the city might consider launching from a different beach in town to help with better visibility.
“It’s always been up here,” he said, “maybe Aliso Beach should be looked at as a venue.”
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