Drones Replace Fireworks for the Imperial Beach 4th of July Show

After two years of a covid freeze and the last-minute cancellation of a traditional fireworks show, Imperial Beach decided to try a new technology for the 4th of July celebration.

Verge Aero has been contracted to produce a musically-synchronized high-tech drone show from the Pier which will be broadcast and made available on personal devices from the City’s website.

Verge Aero, founded in 2016 and based out of Pennovation Works at the University of Pennsylvania, has been featured on events ranging from President-Elect Biden’s victory celebration to the Electric Daisy Carnival and now America’s Got Talent: Extreme.

Besides conducting the drone shows, Verge Aero also designs their own drones and drone show software called, Design Studio. According to the company, the software allows creatives to design drone shows featuring just a few drones, or thousands of them, in a matter of minutes.

As far as the hardware, the company's Verge Aero X1 Drone features;

• 18 minute flight time (13-min shows with reserve)
• Fly in shows with winds up to 25 MpH
• Ultra-bright light source (900 lumens at full white)
• Strong, carbon fiber frame
• Precise positioning (10cm precision)
• Redundant radio architecture

City officials beleive the switch from traditional fireworks to drones will bring a spectacular show to both residents and visitors alike and be equally fun and exciting, but with less noise, smoke and debris.

This 4th of July Verge Aero will produce shows in Vail, Colorado and Lake Tahoe to reduce fire potential from traditional fireworks. They have even been featured on America’s Got Talent becoming the Extreme Contestant and Golden Buzzer winner from none other than Simon Cowell for their incredible drone light show performance. They have performed on other large stages such as Burning Man, Petco Park, and Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.

The Imperial Beach Pier Plaza show will kick off at 7:30 p.m. with a performance from Marine Band San Diego and the drone light show by Verge Aero to follow shortly after dark.

Park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., arrive early to get a seat. Seacoast Drive will be open for bus access, but parking will not be available at any time from Palm Avenue to Imperial Beach Blvd. There is a bus stop in Pier Plaza for the easiest access to the show for those not quite within walking distance.

Are you going to watch the show live, on a personal device, or not at all?