by Chrissa Olson
The hum of drones replaced the bang of fireworks during Redondo Beach’s July 4 Independence Day celebration.
Redondo Beach City Council approved a 200-drone show for Fourth of July in lieu of the canceled annual fireworks show Thursday.
The show started at 9 p.m. and ran for nine minutes above the south sea wall. While it was visible from the Portofino hotel to Veterans Park, the show sometimes appeared mirrored or backwards from certain angles.
“It was fantastic, better than expected,” said Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand. “Depending on what happens with the Water Board this may be our future. It’s amazing how they’re choreographed.. To see 200 hundred drones fly and not hitting each other is amazing.”
According to Sky Elements crew lead Brandon Balelo, the drones were controlled by one pilot who could adjust for height and color corrections, with all the flight paths pre programmed using CAD, a 2D and 3D modeling software. None of the drones communicated with each other—their only connection was a wifi bubble used to track their locations.
The $65,000 contract with Sky Elements, a Fort Worth, Texas based aerial drone producer, brought a quick remedy to regular fireworks vendor Pyro Spectaculars’ decision to not perform the show due to concerns over the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board’s permit requirements.
After Interim Fire Chief Patrick Butler told of the situation on KNX 1070, Sky Elements contacted him, according to a press release from the city of Redondo Beach.
The switch also came as the city attempted to work with Pyro Spectacular by considering alternative inland locations like Redondo Union High School, Dominguez Park and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. However, on a short timeline, Pyro Spectaculars was only available to perform a land show on July 3.
During the special meeting, mayor Bill Brand noted that it may be the “future” of Independence Day celebrations.
The city also held an Independence Day Party at Seaside Lagoon from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and two flyovers occurred at 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Drone shows are on the rise as cities shift towards more environmentally friendly options for Independence Day celebrations. According to a 2021 South Coast Air Quality Management District, they recorded high levels of fine particulate matter on July 4 and 5, mostly as a result of commercial displays and “backyard” fireworks. (Personal, non-permitted fireworks are illegal in Redondo Beach).
Redondo Beach resident Madine Koerner said that she went in with no expectations, and left wowed by the show. She hopes that in the future, the show will be longer.
“I can’t say I don’t like fireworks—I’d be lying to you,” Koerner said. “But this was a nice change.” ER
