Boston Pops drone show wows viewers during July 4 broadcast

techJul 5, 202647980

The Boston Pops' July 4 Esplanade concert featured a Revolutionary War, themed drone show synchronized to the 1812 Overture that recreated the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's ride and other tableaux, then led into a traditional fireworks finale. Viewers on television praised the drone segment for striking visuals such as a man with a musket rising from the sky and ships tipping crates of tea, and called the quieter, lower-pollution display a better option for pets, wildlife and veterans with PTSD. Some attendees and viewers still rated the overall evening mixed, calling the drone portion cooler than expected while a few found it lackluster and said the fireworks finale was unnecessary. The broadcast included appearances by Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey, and national outlets showed contrasting coverage of the celebration. Several posts suggested drone shows may increasingly replace fireworks in some cities, noting that a few Arizona cities already use drone displays. The Boston show closed with drones spelling "MA 250," a detail some viewers highlighted as a local emphasis during the America 250 celebrations.

Marie

@legallyhea.bsky.social

I was a big fireworks fan as a kid but given what I now know about a) family pets, b) wildlife interruption, and more importantly c) veterans with PTSD, I think drone shows are so cool and have so much potential all without having to make the lives of our loved ones and wildlife miserable!

43945d ago

Marie12

(that being said, the Boston Pops 4th show still gives me goose bumps just before the fireworks)

🌿M.T.Botany4

I would be more okay with fireworks if we could be reasonable about just setting them off for one limited time. From say sunset to 11pm on just the 4th. It is so annoying that random loud bangs are a fact of life for most of late June to the end of July in many urban areas.

Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard2

Not to mention fire risk, especially out west.

Solar Edits1

fireworks have been going off in my neighborhood since 3pm. it's 8pm now, and the sun is still out. i'm not even sure what the point has been

David Crook1

Same. My birthday is even this day. I had exact same parallel thoughts today about the downsides of fireworks. No drone shows near me though that I know of

Connie Mc1

Add refugees from war zones

Quoting this

Angel 🦇📚4

Adding also a fact about hearing health! (future Audiologist here). If you're too close to those loud noises without protection they will 100% damage your hearing!

Mitch Goldich

@mitchgoldich.bsky.social

Boston 250 had a drone show before the fireworks, and I want you all to see the man with a musket who rose from the sky

5845d ago

Kim Grrrrbo 🪲1

Paul Revere would have been so proud...mostly terrified, but also maybe proud

Chris Dwan (he/him)

@somershade.bsky.social

The drone show was actually really cool. I didn’t get it on video, but when the ships tipped crates of tea into the harbor, the crowd went wild. 1/?

4445d ago

Christo Silvia

@christosilvia.bsky.social

We had a great time in Boston. Boston Pops, drone show, fireworks. I love being in sane America

4845d ago

Dan Lansdowne2

Boston Pops always puts on the best show.

PrincessFox 🚋🚎🚂🚇🏳️‍⚧️🇨🇦2

Im in Seattle I went to an informal Fireworks show in Broadview (although I was sure the neighbors were gonna set their house are fire) but it was nice to Fireworks everyone in Bremerton and Bainbridge Island were launching over the Sea

💖 Ash 🏳️‍⚧️

@ashygroovy.bsky.social

Exactly! What’s wrong with drone shows or laser light shows instead, for instance? But nah, gotta trigger people with PTSD and household pets just cuz fun lights go boom.

1745d ago

Josh

@hobbesjosh.bsky.social

Drone shows are so much better than fireworks in every way. But dont tell MAGA that. They have simple minds

2445d ago

Joseph Galbo

@josephgalbo.bsky.social

As a lifelong NYer and current Mid-Atlantic transplant, it pains me to say it, but I think Boston had the best big city 250th celebration. Drone and firework combo was excellent. Boston Pops did what Boston Pops does. I was sold.

2044d ago

Borneo Jimmy

@borneojimmy.bsky.social

Hope everyone had a safe & happy 4th. I went to a party with our friends from the Trans Community of New England & after surviving a wicked heavy thunderstorm, we walked down to the Charles for the fireworks.

1845d ago

jimmyjamesjobob.bsky.social

@jimmyjamesjobob.bsky.social

Just watched a drone show over the Boston harbour on TV. It was amazing. No noise pollution & loud bangs that affect both animals & pets. No air pollution from a the explosions. They did however have Fireworks at the end which I don't think they needed. Do away with fireworks!

1545d ago

Yolanda

@yap617.bsky.social

Can report from Boston many citizens celebrating Independence Day — Paul Revere, Samual Adams, John Adams would be proud of the turnout 250 years later. Had a drone show followed by fireworks! #MA250

1345d ago

Remember America!

@flynavy77.bsky.social

Great show in Williamsburg tonight. No clue how many, but packed shoulder to shoulder singing Amazing Grace & God Bless America just before a fantastic fireworks & drone show. Felt good to be out with fellow Americans despite the heat.

1445d ago

Natania Barron ~ Fantasy Author

@natania.bsky.social

We had a drone show. It… was a bit lackluster. To say the least.

1945d ago

John Hayden ❌👑🌊

@jhayden.bsky.social

Boston Pops Esplanade fireworks to the 1812 overture turned it up to 11 with this drone show We got tossing tea off the tea party ship, Paul Revere riding, cannons lit, it rocks

Drone display over Boston's Back Bay, of the tea party ship with boxes being tossed overboard

945d ago

Joanne in Boston

@vtgal.bsky.social

The Boston Pops show from the beautiful Boston Esplanade culminating with a fantastic drone and fireworks display…with an appearance by our beloved Mayor Wu and Governor Maura Healey…a perfect celebration of the best of America…no Trump in sight…a triumph.

1144d ago

Rachel Gutin

@rachelgutin.bsky.social

The New Years fireworks in Brooklyn got cancelled a couple of years ago due to fire danger. They were supposed to be replaced by a drone show... but then, there was rain instead. (Which, to be fair, we clearly needed!)

1445d ago

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Boston Pops drone show wows viewers during July 4 broadcast

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