The skies above a Central Coast city are going to light up with a cutting edge nighttime holiday show this weekend. Imagine a fireworks show, but without the explosions, and smoke. Solvang’s Julefest is going to feature a show called “Aurora Dronealis,” which features a hundred synchronized drones.
Scott Shuemake is president of IDK Events, the company which is producing Solvang’s Julefest. Julefest is the community’s month holiday celebration which is built around the community’s Danish heritage.
Shuemake says drone shows are hard to visualize until you’ve experienced one. Drone shows have been done for things like the Olympics, Disney theme parks, and in Las Vegas. But, they can be expensive because of the technology involved.
Kyle Dorosz is a drone pilot with Firefly Drone Shows, which is doing the Saturday night show in Solvang. Dorosz says they have developed a special version of drones for the shows. And, while a hundred of them will be used for the show, a computer program controls them, so only one pilot is needed.
The show will be visible for about a five mile circle around Solvang. But, show producers say the best spot to see it will be in grandstands in downtown Solvang, because people will also be able to hear the show’s musical soundtrack, just like with a fireworks show.
Drones could in many areas replace fireworks, because they don’t make the noise which can scare pets, and rattle the nerves of some people. IDK Events President Scott Shuemake says the drones also don’t pose the accidental brush fire risk you see from fireworks.
Earlier this year, the City of Solvang approved spending just over $100,000 for the show, which they hope will become a part of the annual Julefest tradition.
“Aurora Dronealis” is set to take place at 6 Saturday night in Solvang. You can find information on the show, including how to get tickets, solvangdrones.com
