Fourth of July. A holiday meant to be spent outside in the simmering Southern California summer sun — dining on freshly grilled hot dogs, donning your most patriotic ensemble, and communing with friends and family. And, once the sun sets, enjoying fireworks.
But recently, in Southern California, fireworks displays — once seemingly inextricable from the Fourth of July holiday — have lost some of their sparkle because of growing concerns over the potential impact the shows have on animals, people and, particularly, the environment. Worries that multiple large fireworks shows on Fourth of July, coupled with the use of personal ones, put pets at risk of running away or being lost, negatively impact veterans and others with PTSD, and hurt the environment, have long existed — but have come to a head in recent years. There are still plenty of traditional fireworks shows planned for Fourth of July across Southern California this year, including in Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Torrance, Hollywood, Burbank and Oxnard, among others.
And the fireworks industry, according to the American Pyrotechnic Association, is more popular across the country than ever — with community fireworks displays generating more than $500 million in revenue nationwide last year alone. But this year, several other Southland cities, including Laguna Beach, Lake View Terrace and San Fernando have opted for drone shows instead. And two beloved Fourth of July fireworks shows — one in Long Beach and one in.