Could Drones Replace Old Lyme’s Town Fireworks? Officials Begin Discussion
Concerns about smoke, noise, debris and impacts on pets and wildlife prompted selectmen to begin exploring alternatives to the annual display.
OLD LYME, CT – Library Lane resident Judith Archer has spent years urging town leaders, including three first selectmen, to reconsider the annual fireworks display launched from the school campus near her home.
Now, her long-held complaint is sparking a broader conversation among the Board of Selectmen about whether it might be time to replace the town’s pyrotechnic tradition with a more modern alternative.
Archer said she shut the windows to her home during this year’s July 25 show, but opened them before turning in for the night. She said she soon woke up with a sore throat and difficulty swallowing in a room filled with smoke.
Old Lyme’s fireworks are launched from Lyme Street behind the high school, which puts the display near the residential neighborhoods of Library Lane and Dunns Lane.
“It really bothers me that I don’t have a choice in this happening,” she said.
She said technological advances have produced better options for neighbors and the environment – including drone shows.
She pointed to the July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which for the first time featured 1,300 drones lighting the night 15 minutes before the traditional pyrotechnics show went off. In Old Saybrook, 200 drones flew over Town Hall to cap the town’s Celebrate Saybrook Street Party last month.
“I’m not against people having a good time,” Archer said.
Selectman Jim Lampos at this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting said he’s always been a “pro-fireworks sort of guy.” But the advent of drone technology has him rethinking his stance.
“I thought maybe since we’re a year out now, we can at least start a discussion about considering a drone show,” he said.
That means researching pricing and getting feedback from residents about the potential change, according to the selectman.
“I think it does have an impact on the neighborhood that’s a little greater than some of the other traditional fireworks shows that happen on the water,” he said.
The display is typically held on the last Saturday in July as part of the Midsummer Festival in the town’s historic district.
Officials said the roughly 50-acre Town Woods Park has been considered as an alternative site in the past, but was nixed because the nonprofit organization High Hopes provides equine therapy next door.
According to First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, the town budgeted about $29,000 for this year’s fireworks display, including staffing, sound services and pyrotechnics.
Selectman John Mesham predicted some residents would object to replacing the annual fireworks show.
“I think it is very traditional,” Mesham said. “I think there might be some pushback from people in the public about that.”
Shoemaker agreed the town should explore options but emphasized the cost would need to be considered. She said she heard the price tag on the Old Saybrook drone show was roughly $40,000.
She suggested collaborating with other local groups that currently offer fireworks, including those in the Hawk’s Nest and Point O’ Woods beach areas.
“If we pooled our money, whether it’s yearly or every other year, we could do something all together so everyone could enjoy it,” she said.
Archer said she’s not alone in her concerns. She added fireworks can be frightening for veterans reminded of combat and for pets, while smoke and debris can linger in nearby neighborhoods after the show.
She recalled that after one fireworks show several years ago, she and a neighbor brought plastic shopping bags filled with debris to Town Hall after collecting it from their yards.
“I filled up six bags, and that was not including what was up on the roof,” she said.
She encouraged town officials to look at what neighboring communities are doing, including Old Saybrook.
“They’re taking a step ahead. Why can’t Old Lyme do it?” she said.
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I oppose fireworks for many reasons. The noise is not only obnoxious, but it’s terrifying to veterans, children, people with neurodiversity, animals, and the list goes on and on. I have been called many names on FB; Karen, being the least of them, for just pointing out the facts about the harm that fireworks can cause. We can, and should do better.
I remember the year that a resident of Sands Drive was struck and killed on I-95 while trying to catch her terrified pet dog during the fireworks show. Hope that doesn’t happen again.
We need to move on from fireworks displays come 2027.Archaic is one term for it.Another is useless.Years ago there was no fireworks display in Old Lyme and we all lived quite happily.It is one thing to support it and find it fun when it isn’t in your neighborhood!Aside from a display reminding people briefly of childhood memories of the 4th,the effect on peoples imaginations is a brief one.They go home and climb into bed with doubtful any discussion about whether the Grande Finale matched the one they liked five years before.Yes,it does harm wildlife and domestic pets.You may shrug about it but I care.I don’t wish to see a display of explosives add more challenges to wild animals than already exist.Maybe the need to see fireworks is a primal thing for many.Loud explosions can be exciting I suppose.But having these won’t bring back the past fond memories of family outings on a July 4 weekend.The town also needs to fix much and the money spent on creating explosions is needed elsewhere.
We look forward to the Midsummer fireworks display as there are no public displays of July 4th fireworks in the region. We live across from the schools and have family members with compromised lungs….asthma, copd, who have never had issues or residues from the smoke on our property, neither have any of our pets been effected and our windows are always open.
Our family lives across the street from the display on Lyme Street and we would be incredibly saddened to lose this highly anticipated, yearly tradition. It is one of few town wide yearly traditions our small town offers free of charge. Its a wonderful way to end a special day.
Maybe consider some type of Waterfire event like they’ve done for years in Providence.
It’s been adopted in other RI. I know Wickford does something similar.
Very peaceful combined with music.
We do have plenty of water around.
I’ve written to OL before regarding the fireworks. they terrorize wildlife, some people are severely affected, and they are a dated mode of celebrating. Please, OL, reconsider before you make next year’s arrangements! Thank you.
I totally agree with Judy. It seems archaic to still be exploding bombs & rockets in or near our neighborhoods and near water and/or sensitive wetlands. Time for rethinking about a less disruptive and more environmentally friendly alternative .