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Tricentennial committee weighs drone show vs. fireworks after $17,000–$51,000 quote
Summary
The Town of Southborough Tricentennial Committee discussed a proposed drone light show Thursday as a possible signature event for the 300th celebration, but members cautioned the idea could strain the committee’s budget and schedule.
The Town of Southborough Tricentennial Committee discussed a proposed drone light show Thursday as a possible signature event for the 300th celebration, but members cautioned the idea could strain the committee’s budget and schedule.
Andrew (committee member) reported receiving a price estimate from a large vendor: a 100-drone show could start at about $17,000 and a 300-drone show could reach about $51,000. He contrasted that with the recreation department’s usual fireworks budget of about $7,000, saying “the drone show is a significantly more expensive endeavor.”
The nut graf: committee members agreed the drone show has a “cool factor” that could attract attendees and sponsorships but said the committee needs more information about lead time, deposit requirements and program design before committing public or raised funds.
Committee members pressed three practical issues. First, timing and attendance: committee members noted Southborough Summer Nights is a well‑attended August event and asked whether a drone show scheduled close to it would split audiences. Second, cost and fundraising: members discussed sponsorships and a potential seed deposit to hold a date; Andrew said that learning the deposit size and booking window will determine whether sponsorship outreach is required to lock a show. Third, alternatives: members asked staff to compare drone, laser and fireworks options in price and impact.
Patty (committee member) and others favored integrating any drone show with an existing event rather than creating a competing standalone attraction. “This would probably kind of compete with that,” Patty said of Summer Nights, and suggested using the rec department’s existing calendar as a framework.
Action: Andrew was asked to collect additional vendor information — including lead time for bookings, whether design work is included in quoted prices, deposit size and examples of 100/200/300-drone displays — and return with a recommendation.
The committee did not approve funding for a drone show at the meeting.
Ending: The committee will keep exploring lower-cost alternatives and sponsorship models and revisit the drone proposal once the staff report is available.
