{"id":3046,"date":"2026-07-04T05:33:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T05:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3046"},"modified":"2026-07-04T05:33:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T05:33:40","slug":"tucson-ditching-fireworks-in-favor-of-drones-for-future-fourth-of-july-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3046","title":{"rendered":"Tucson ditching fireworks in favor of drones for future Fourth of July celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – This year\u2019s Fourth of July fireworks show at \u2018A\u2019 Mountain will be the last as the city of Tucson announced Wednesday that its annual celebration will feature a drone show next year.<\/p>\n

Read more Democratic Socialists are winning elections nationwide. Is Arizona Next?<\/a><\/p>\n

Kevin Luckenbill, who has run the \u2018A\u2019 Mountain fireworks show with Fireworks Productions of Arizona since 2019, said he was upset to hear the news. As a Tucson native, he said the change feels like the end of a tradition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know \u2018A\u2019 Mountain first started their fireworks in 1984, and I\u2019ve probably seen their show every year since,\u201d Luckenbill said. \u201cAs a child, we would come to \u2018A\u2019 Mountain, parents would bring us and join the thousands of other people that like to watch the show every year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luckenbill said he understands fireworks can pose a safety risk, but noted that professional shows involve significant preparation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey train us to do this. It\u2019s not just us coming out and picking up some local fireworks and, you know, putting on a display. This is very much a structured environment,\u201d Luckenbill said.<\/p>\n

Tucson City Council Member Paul Cunningham told 13 News the move was made for safety reasons, following past issues with the show.<\/p>\n

The fireworks show on \u2018A\u2019 Mountain has sparked fires multiple times, including most recently in 2017, when there was a brush fire.<\/p>\n

Tucson Fire Department\u2019s Deputy Chief Antonio Canizales said fires being started from fireworks are common, especially in southern Arizona, where vegetation is dry, especially in the summer.<\/p>\n

Luckenbill said he believes a drone show will not replicate the experience of the fireworks display.<\/p>\n

Read more Pocket Fire could take months to fully contain, officials say<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving seen drone shows and even assisting with a drone show, if you\u2019re not kind of right in front of it, you may not see if it\u2019s spelling out words, if it\u2019s doing things like that, you\u2019re not necessarily gonna see that,\u201d Luckenbill said.<\/p>\n

Nikki Reck, public information officer for the Pima Animal Care Center, said she views the switch as a positive development for animals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe take in hundreds of extra dogs over the holiday due to fireworks scaring them, making them run away into the streets, or they run into the streets and get hit by a car, and they end up in our care,\u201d Reck said.<\/p>\n

Reck said she hopes the drone show will have a different effect on pets.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrones, while they do make some noise, they\u2019re quieter than fireworks, and while the images are still pretty bright and can maybe scare some pets, I think overall, fingers crossed, maybe it\u2019ll have a different effect, and maybe it\u2019s more of a positive one is what we\u2019re hoping,\u201d Reck said.<\/p>\n

Canizales said for this year\u2019s show, the Tucson Fire Department has crews on \u2018A\u2019 Mountain spraying down the area with water to prevent fires and will monitor the show on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Are you streaming 13 News?<\/p>\n

Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.<\/p>\n

Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app which you can find on Apple and Google.<\/p>\n

If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.<\/p>\n

Read more Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married in elaborate Madison Square Garden ceremony<\/a><\/p>\n

You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Fourth of July fireworks show at \u201cA\u201d Mountain will be the last. 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