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Spectators cited that while fireworks can be dangerous to our environment, drone shows keep audiences engaged
Explosions are common sounds during Independence Day weekend.
However, spectators at the first night of this year’s Prefontaine Classic mainly heard the whirring of 150 drones above Hayward Field. For the first time, the event put on a drone light show, accompanied by a monologue paying homage to Steve Prefontaine
The Friday, July 3, display, put on by Sky Lites from La Center, Washington, began with an explosion of fireworks and quickly transitioned to drone choreography.
For about 15 minutes, drones lined up in figurations of Steve Prefontaine’s face, Nike shoes and even runners crossing a finish line, leaving some spectators in awe.
“I thought it was fantastic. It was really a fitting end to this meet,” Steven Rumrill, of Waldport, said. “It was surprising that it started with real fireworks off the top, but it was just really fitting for the end of this great meet.”
Rumrill also noted he is all for drone shows instead of fireworks.
“I’m 100% in favor of using drones rather than explosive technology. Fireworks are harmful to the environment and really tough on wildlife,” Rumrill said.
Other cities switched to drone shows for the Fourth of July, mainly in areas with high fire risk, including Salt Lake City and Colorado towns such as Telluride and Breckenridge.
Although some fireworks shows are planned for Independence Day in Lane County, Eugene has banned the sale and use of personal fireworks at all times since 2022 and banned display fireworks year-round except between July 3 and 5.
Some spectators view drone shows as an option for future Fourth of July celebrations.
David Percival from Stillwater, Minnesota, has been coaching track and field for years. This Prefontaine Classic marked his first drone show.
“When you looked around at the crowd, you could see people were really into it,” Percival said. “I like traditional fireworks, but that was pretty cool. I could easily substitute that for my Fourth.”
Robert Loftus from Moscow, Idaho, was also appreciative of the show.
“It was pretty remarkable. I was expecting more Nike logos — they were there, but I was expecting more of them,“ he said with a chuckle. “Overall, it was amazing.”
Tobin Tanner, head show designer with Sky Lites, said drones tell a story that fireworks can’t capture. He originally started this position because of how drone shows combine his passions.
“For me, drone shows are the perfect merger of art and technology — it’s a dream come true,” Tanner said.
He also said that “a 100-drone show is about 8 kilowatt-hours (per show). Comparable to running a space heater for about 6 hours.”
“More and more people are making that switch from fireworks to drone shows,” Tanner said. “Besides the environmental concerns, you can really tell a story and have a dialogue with [the] audience from the sky, which is just something that fireworks doesn’t offer.”
