Folly says goodbye to 2024 by replacing traditional fireworks with a dynamic drone show
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
Every New Year’s Eve, people gather on the beach and in the streets to watch the Flip-Flop Drop at Tides, the Meatball Drop at Woody’s Pizza, and a brilliant fireworks display over the Folly Beach sky. For the first time ever, the oohs and ahhs that a traditional fireworks show typically elicits will be replaced with the whoa and wows of a dynamic drone show. It is the first of its kind for the area.
“Drone shows are definitely the wave of the future,” says Kelly Travers, event coordinator for the Folly Association of Business (FAB), who puts on the display each year. She notes that drone shows greatly reduce negative environmental impacts that other large displays can create. “Folly Beach works hard to maintain such a beautiful and pristine ocean and riverfront community and it is important to us to create public events that also lead by this example.”
Many cities across the country are trending towards replacing fireworks with drones, especially in areas with delicate ecosystems, like beaches, where considerations about the litter fireworks leave behind and the noise pollution that impacts wildlife are much higher. For this show, 250-300 drones will be involved, creating a light display that promises to be just as brilliant as a traditional fireworks display. And instead of explosions, the show will be set to music. The show will occur earlier in the night (around 7 p.m.) and is estimated to last about 15 minutes, roughly the same as previous New Year’s Eve fireworks shows.
Travers also likes the idea of being able to customize a show with drone “slides” that represent Folly Beach and are close to the hearts of the residents and visitors of the island.
“The show is completely pre-programed with “slides” that we design and arrange in a specific order! You can expect to see fun seaside elements, unique Folly Beach landmarks, New Year’s Eve fun, and more,” says Travers. “This show will be quite high in the sky just like a fireworks show. The best viewing location will be along Center Street. So, make sure to come enjoy some dinner and drinks and check out the show!”
While the price tag for this year’s show will be considerably higher than the traditional fireworks shows they’ve had in the past, she says the cost is worth it.
“Yes, there is a significant increase in cost, but we can justify this by helping to keep our community clean while also presenting a great public display for our residents and visitors to enjoy,” says Travers.
The New Year’s Eve Drone Show will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The street will not be closed for this event, so find a safe viewing location away from vehicle traffic. The area of the launch, designated safe viewing locations, and other details will be announced the second week of December on the Folly Association of Business Facebook page [facebook.com/@FABFollyEvents/] and on www.VisitFolly.com.
