After two years of drone light shows on Canada Day, 91原创 Township will switch back to fireworks next year, after the mayor said he heard "mixed reviews" from spectators this year.
In 2024 and 2025, the Township held a show of lighted, programmed drones in lieu of fireworks. This year's show was held at McLeod Athletic Park, the site of the main municipal Canada Day celebrations.
The event cost $53,000, after this year's show received a $23,000 boost compared to last year's to add more drones.
At the July 7 council meeting, Mayor Eric Woodward put forward a notice of motion that the show switch back to fireworks, for a $40,000 show next year. The "mixed reviews" comment was included in Woodward's motion.
Councillor Kim Richter said she hadn't heard anything back from the public yet about this year's drone show.
"Will we be getting reviews on it?" she said, and asked how the mayor knew what the public thought of the show.
鈥淚 was present at the event, which I don鈥檛 believe you were," said Woodward, "so I was also walking around talking to residents after the event, asking them what they thought, and there were mixed reviews.鈥�
Coun. Michael Pratt was also in favour of switching to fireworks next year, noting that hew as also there and had been partial to the drone show himelf, but that if they wanted to see the kind of large-scale drone shows seen elsewhere, the costs would be significant.
The noise was a concern for Coun. Tim Baillie.
"We've got a lot of animals in the Township," he said.
He asked if the Township staff could look into using quieter brands of fireworks for the show next year, compared to those that make very loud booms.
Dogs and cats are frequently alarmed by fireworks, and local animal welfare organizations routinely warn pet owners about fireworks displays and keeping their pets secure so they don't bolt.
The motion was approved in a 7-1 vote with Richter opposed.
