The unpredictability of fireworks — where and how each burst of dazzling light and crackling noise will occur — elicits a sense of wonder that captivates spectators. “You almost feel in your chest what you’re seeing with your eyes,” said Kristen Lindquist, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who studies the psychological and neural basis of emotions, moods and feelings. It is a tradition ingrained in the American psyche.
But as the country prepares for summer’s iconic holiday of barbecues and big booms next week, drone light shows have emerged in recent years as an alternative that addresses growing concerns about noise, safety and the environment. Known for its biweekly fireworks displays during the summer, Navy Pier celebrated a gala in September with a produced by Sky Elements. Rick Boss, president of the Texas-based company, said he only realized drone light shows could be a powerful storytelling medium when he saw a client tear up during one of his first events.
“Until you see one in person, you realize ...
it’s just a massive canvas that you’re painting on. It is just wonderful to see,” he said. “So that’s a big reason for it: Folks just looking for something different, something creative, something energetic to bring into their events .
.. The drone shows allow them to do it quietly, allow them to (make) it environmentally friendly, and really gives a good ‘Wow’ moment.
” These aerial light shows use hundreds of in.