Some Utahns rethink drone shows after Stadium of Fire fireworks incident

SALT LAKE CITY — Thursday’s frightening fireworks accident at the Stadium of Fire’s Independence Day show puts Friday night’s drone show in Salt Lake City in a different light. Some people are more willing to accept a less explosive holiday spectacle.

Videos of the accident are all over social media. On Thursday night, fireworks were misdirected at the Stadium of Fire in Provo. Authorities reported that several people were injured and other visitors were shocked and frightened.

“It makes you nervous. Of course, I’m a father and you have children,” said Cesar Trujillo as he watched the drone show in Salt Lake City.

Some attendees of the Salt Lake City drone show said the incident made them rethink their opinion of the city’s switch last year from the traditional fireworks show to a more safety-friendly drone show.

“After what happened at Stadium of Fire, I’m even more suspicious of them,” said Carissa Rowe, a Vinyard resident.

“I was there last night watching the fireworks. My granddaughter was there and it’s horrible to think that something like that could happen to her and my family,” said St. George resident Bonnie Barlow.

While the potential for unwanted fireworks wasn’t the only reason Salt Lake City flipped the switch, the core ideas were to reduce the risk of fire and improve air quality and people’s safety.

“The show is much safer and also much more inclusive. People who may have PTSD or want to bring pets are all welcome here and the show is more inclusive overall,” says Lynze Twede, event manager for Salt Lake City Public Lands.

Millcreek prepares drones for its Independence Day spectacle

Some who come to Friday night’s show want to see if they like drones better, while others think fireworks should be eliminated.

“The whole idea of ​​using drones to entertain, I think, is a fascinating idea to replace fireworks, you bet on it,” said Midvale resident Dennis Hollinger.

“I think it’s a little safer for the city to move like this, especially when it comes to kids and everything,” Trujillo added.

“I think we should just switch to drones. I think you can get just as much patriotism from that,” Barlow said.

And exchange explosive traditions for less threatening images of America.