North Bay considering replacing fireworks with drones

Centennial celebrations in North Bay may have a different look than some might have expected.

A spokesperson has confirmed the city plans on using drone light shows to replace traditional fireworks, as a couple other northern communities have done this year.

"Several potential events are being considered, including the Families First New Year’s Eve event and our Canada Day Celebrations," Gord Young said in an email.

"If these drone shows are successful, we may continue using them either on their own or in combination with traditional fireworks."

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Other cities have made the leap to drones, with the most recent being Greater Sudbury and Timmins during Canada Day celebrations.

While the costs have been equivalent, the decision to move to drones has created some controversy.

"It’s not to say that we didn’t want to do fireworks, but we had talked last year about doing something a little different," Karen Bachmann, Timmins Museum curator told CTV News at the time.

North Star Drone Shows put the displays on in both communities.

The drone light shows have been considered by some to be more eco-friendly and friendlier to animals, like dogs who may be afraid of the large noises associated with fireworks.

While the move drew praise from pet owners, others criticized the move calling out fewer vantage points and lack of explosions or sound.

It is unclear if Sudbury and Timmins plan on continuing using drones given some of the mixed responses they received to the shows on July 1.