05-07-2025
Milwaukee's Fourth of July drone show went without a bang. What did you think?
Under mostly clear skies, crowds gathered at McKinley Beach to watch Milwaukee's first-ever drone show July 3.
Images long associated with the birth of the United States ― the date 1776, the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's head and, of course, the American flag ― transformed before viewers' eyes into iconic Milwaukee landmarks like the Hoan Bridge and American Family Field. Even the abandoned boat that took on peculiar local lore, Deep Thought, made a cameo in the sky.
Now that you've experienced Milwaukee's lakefront drone show, what did you think? We want to hear from you.
If the survey isn't working for you, click here or email neilbert@
In June, Milwaukee County opted to swap its long tradition of fireworks at McKinley Beach for a drone show, a decision made to reduce noise and air pollution, according to a press release from Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith.
County leaders said the 900 drones featured on the eve of Fourth of July was also $200,000 cheaper than the customary pyrotechnic shows enjoyed in prior years.
Last year, Milwaukee County canceled its annual July 3 event due to a lack of sponsorship funding. The county's parks department previously shared that the fireworks display usually costs about $350,000 for pyrotechnics and $20,000 for additional staffing and service costs.
The event typically draws more than 100,000 people.
A Fourth of July wouldn't be complete without steaming hot dogs, popsicles and sandals, which filled the night sky. But like your favorite streaming show, ads for Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Controls and Bank of American also peppered the 45-minute spectacle.
For some observers, the corporate sponsorships on display throughout the evening struck a specific chord.
Others, still, focused on the inventiveness and seamlessness of the drone lights.
And animals could rest easy without the erratic boom of fireworks, which can trigger a startle response in domestic and farm animals ― and in humans, too.
When the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel put out a non-scientific survey on the question of drones vs. fireworks for Milwaukee's July 3 lakefront Independence Day celebration last month, readers said they wouldn't miss the noise or debris generated from fireworks and were open-minded about giving the drone show a try.
Many others said the Fourth wouldn't be the same without fireworks.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What did you think about Milwaukee's 2025 Fourth of July drone show?
