FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Cities across the country are now opting to replace or supplement events where they typically have fireworks shows with drones.

One such drone show was held last March in downtown Miami.

On Tuesday, it was a hot topic with the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, which was presented with facts and figures about drones versus fireworks for New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July.

“There are metals, microplastics, other components that fall into the ocean,” said Commissioner Ben Sorenson.

Carlos Pena is the founder of Pixel Swarm Drones.

“It’s sort of like making a short movie,” he said. “In a place like Florida, we have a delicate environment, especially the marine environment.”

Pena says drones don’t come with the debris you often have with a fireworks show, and they’re pretty quiet, with no big booms in the sky.

“Drones don’t generate as much noise as fireworks, so you can have drones around animals and children as well,” he said.

But some city leaders were quick to point out that this coming Fourth of July is the nation’s 250th birthday, so it may not be the best year to shake up tradition, and that many people enjoy a big, loud, fiery celebration you can see for miles.

“I think this would probably be the worst year to try and change it up,” said Commissioner John Herbst.

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