three rivers to replace fireworks with drone show in p.e.i. first
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the town of three rivers says it is replacing its traditional fireworks display with a drone show this summer. the drone show which is the first of its kind in p.e.i., will take place aug. 1 at about 10 p.m.
the guardian
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the town of three rivers is replacing its traditional fireworks display with a drone show this summer.
town officials say the change comes after considering concerns about public safety, the environment and the impact fireworks can have on animals and people with sensory sensitivities.
the drone show which is the first of its kind in p.e.i., will take place aug. 1 at about 10 p.m. at the montague waterfront.
jonathon gardner, the town’s supervisor of arts and culture, said the decision followed months of research after the town received a letter from p.e.i. cares, an island animal welfare advocacy group,
“i love fireworks. i love the explosions. i love the colours,” gardner said. “sometimes we just have to make a decision and say, ‘is that five minutes of excitement worth the potential damage to our environment, to animals and to people?’”
p.e.i. cares first contacted the town to raise concerns about the effects of fireworks on animals, prompting staff to look into other options.
“they had brought to our attention the effects of fireworks on animals because they’re an animal rescue organization,” gardner said. “we said we’d look into it and research what the possible alternatives were.”
that research found fireworks can affect a broad range of people and animals.
gardner said loud fireworks can frighten domestic animals and wildlife, sometimes causing them to panic and run away. he added that the noise can also be distressing for people with autism and military members or first responders living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
other concerns
environmental concerns also factored into that decision.
“every different colour is actually a different heavy metal that’s used,” gardner said. “those toxic heavy metals can end up in water or on farmland, and all of the plastics and debris from the fireworks themselves can end up in the water environment.”
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although the town has not experienced environmental damage directly linked to fireworks, gardner said officials wanted to be proactive rather than wait for problems to arise.
the drone show will cost about 15 to 20 per cent more than a traditional fireworks display, but gardner said it will last about 15 minutes and allows organizers to create custom images in the sky.
he said the town hopes the event will show residents there are alternatives to traditional fireworks.
gardner also credited a letter from p.e.i. cares for bringing about the change.
“people are always thinking that they can’t make a difference, but that one letter from that organization is what sparked this whole research and the change,” he said.
p.e.i. care
karla shalley, president of p.e.i. cares, said the organization began contacting municipalities last year as part of its work advocating for companion animals.
“our number one mandate is to advocate for companion animals on the island,” shalley said. “we know the harmful effects of fireworks on not only people, companion animals, farm animals, wildlife and the environment.”
the organization has since sent letters ahead of celebrations that traditionally include fireworks, such as canada day and halloween, encouraging municipalities to consider quieter and more environmentally friendly alternatives.
shalley said p.e.i. cares remained in contact with three rivers for several months while the town explored its options.
“we are so happy with the town of three rivers because change is hard, right?” she said. “people are reluctant to change, and especially in p.e.i., we’re a small island with a small population, and change is very difficult.”
while several municipalities acknowledged receiving the organization’s letters, shalley said three rivers is the first to act on them.
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“we applaud the town of three rivers for taking that step toward having a more compassionate celebration,” she said.
shalley said she hopes residents from across the province attend the drone show and that other municipalities will consider making similar changes in the future.
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vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
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