Why some cities like LA are ditching fireworks for drone shows [Video]

LOS ANGELES – Between injury and fire dangers, especially amid a heat wave that’s sweeping across Southern California this 4th of July weekend, many cities are continuing to swap their traditional fireworks displays for elaborate drone shows, including right here in Los Angeles.

Thursday’s celebration will be the second year that Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July celebration will have a drone show, featuring 700 drones lighting up the night sky.

The reviews for last year’s show were mixed, and Dawn Robinson-Patrick, the manager of Gloria Molina Grand Park said that event organizers “considered” going back to fireworks, “but we are really, really dedicated to producing programs that are environmentally conscious.”

With drones, there’s no fire threat, no impact on air quality. And pets, veterans and others appreciate the difference.

“The loud, booming noise, there’s a lot of small kids, with autism, and those loud things really affect them,” said Vicki Fogue with Grizzly Entertainment, the company putting on the …