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Readers react to Milwaukee's first-ever drone show. How does it compare to fireworks?
For the first time since 2023, the Milwaukee lakefront was lit up for Independence Day — but not with fireworks this year. Crowds gathered around McKinley Beach to watch the city's first-ever drone show July 3.
Last year, Milwaukee County canceled its annual event due to a lack of sponsorship funding. This June, the county announced it would swap the traditional fireworks for a drone show to reduce noise and air pollution. County leaders also said the drone show was $200,000 cheaper than a fireworks display.
So, we asked and you answered: What did you think about Milwaukee's 2025 Fourth of July drone show?
In response to our survey, the majority of readers said they want fireworks back and think the city should go that route in 2026. Those who responded shared a variety of reasons for disliking the drone show.
Burns Halverson from Delafield responded with "I hated everything about it," calling the drown show "ridiculous" and a "clown act by Milwaukee."
One reader from New Berlin said they need the noise from fireworks and couldn't find the drone show on television.
Peter Salem from Milwaukee, who wants fireworks back, said the decision to eliminate the fireworks and lakefront celebration killed the vibe downtown.
"On a weekend in which it should have been packed, it was quiet other than the Summerfest crowd," Salem said.
The Milwaukee fireworks display typically draws over 100,000 people.
Kent Cone from Milwaukee said the drone show was cool at first, but not as exciting as real fireworks. He said the city should return to a fireworks show because it's easy to lose interest in the quiet drone display.
One Milwaukee reader said they didn't hate the drone show but thought it wasn't worth the time and effort to see, calling it underwhelming.
"It had nothing to hold your attention, unless you were counting the ads," the reader said. "In my opinion it would have been a great show in 1955."
Another reader from Milwaukee said they liked the lack of noise and debris, but wondered why the display was different — and less of a 3D experience — than the July 2024 Friends of Villa Terrace drone light show.
One Wauwatosa native said fireworks are part of the Fourth of July and that Milwaukee should be able to find sponsors to put on a show.
Jim Kiernan from Milwaukee responded that the drone show "was a fun and unique experience." He said he loved the local touches, including the moving art museum display, as well as the Statue of Liberty and bald eagle icons.
"The possibilities and realities of drone (shows) are so much more than just fireworks," Kiernan said. "Anything is possible."
Kiernan said he wished there was a tribute to Bob Uecker and thought an image of City Hall would make the cut.
Another Milwaukee reader described the drone show as "much better and more interesting than I anticipated." The reader added that they would be fine with either a fireworks display or drone show in the future.
Bea from Littleton, Colorado, said the drone show was something that Milwaukee should stick with next year.
"I love the music instead of loud bangs," Bea said. "Also it is much more creative and interesting than traditional fireworks!"
Some viewers took to social platforms Facebook and X to share their thoughts on the show.
Ads for corporations like Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Controls and Bank of America littered the 45-minute drone show, prompting a negative response from some attendees.
One reader who responded to our survey called the ads "tacky," and another said they shouldn't have been included in the show at all.
While the future of next year's July 3 lakefront show is unclear, readers have made their thoughts — both positive and negative — about this year's display clear.
Contact Mia Thurow at mthurow@
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What did viewers think of Milwaukee's first-ever drone show?
