Sahuarita explores drone shows and new launch sites after mixed fireworks viewing and growing insurance constraints

Parks and Recreation staff told the council that the 2024 Stars & Stripes event drew about 18,000 attendees but that the fireworks launch site (Man in the Maze, about 1.7 miles from Animax Park) produced poor viewing for many spectators and prompted community feedback.

Staff described additional candidate launch locations (mine tailings, Twin Buttes Trails Park, Rancho Sahuarita) but said fire risk, site access and private-property insurance requirements (often $10 million) limit options. Freeport-McMoRan (FMI) staff and the U.S. Forest Service have reviewed mine tailings as a possible site, but fire hazards remain a concern.

As an alternative, staff presented drone shows as a lower fire-risk, lower-insurance and often lower-cost option that also provide a larger viewing radius. Devin said the town's drone-provider partners can stage 250-drones productions with music and emerging pyrotechnic attachments; he said a drone show for Fiesta cost about $25,000 without pyrotechnic attachments, whereas typical fireworks programming ranges $50,000—6,000 for the scale the town has hosted.

Council and staff discussed wind and weather tolerances, public expectations (many residents preferred visible mortar fireworks), the potential to combine drone visuals with staged pyrotechnics and the need for a public-notice campaign if the town proceeds away from traditional mortars. Council asked staff to continue pursuing alternatives and to bring back costed options and a public communications plan.

What happens next: Parks staff will continue site investigations, coordinate with fire and safety partners, refine drone/pyrotechnic options and prepare outreach messaging for residents ahead of a final production decision.