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South Pasadena commission recommends keeping traditional fireworks for July show
Summary
The Community Services Commission voted to recommend the city continue a traditional fireworks show for the July 2026 evening event, citing community preference, cost and show length; the motion passed 4–1.
The South Pasadena Community Services Commission on Jan. 20 recommended that the city continue a traditional fireworks show for the July evening celebration rather than switching to a drone or hybrid display.
Community Services Deputy Director Melissa Snyder told the commission staff had evaluated three formats — traditional fireworks, a drone light show or a hybrid of both — after the City Council directed staff in March 2025 to study alternatives. "Tonight staff is requesting the commission consider providing a recommendation to the city council regarding your preferred show format for the July evening show," Snyder said, summarizing survey results, a vendor request-for-proposals and environmental and operational considerations.
Snyder said staff received one fireworks proposal with an estimated cost of about $40,000 and three drone proposals ranging from roughly $20,000 to $150,000. She noted fireworks raise noise and air-quality concerns and require wildfire-risk mitigation, while drone shows reduce combustion impacts but introduce FAA coordination, manufacturing/disposal questions and potential viewing limitations.
Commissioners who favored fireworks cited community feedback and the length and "wow" factor of traditional displays. One commissioner noted the established fireworks vendor has served the city for about 30 years, and several commissioners said many survey comments praised the length of the fireworks show. "If we're going to bring people out, we need to provide them with the show for the ... holiday," one commissioner said.
A motion to continue with the fireworks show for 2026 passed on a roll-call vote: Chair Samuels — yes; Vice Chair Plotkin — no; Commissioner Lai — yes; Commissioner Field — yes; Commissioner Weinberger — yes. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting; an alternate motion to hold a hybrid show and survey community reaction failed to receive a second.
During discussion commissioners also questioned the representativeness of online drone videos shown as examples, with one commissioner saying those clips appeared sped up and included moving-camera shots that would not reflect the stationary viewing experience from the ground. Another commissioner said smaller drone packages (about 150 drones) lacked the scale to match fireworks and that larger displays (e.g., 500 drones) carried much higher costs.
Snyder told the commission the fireworks-survey was distributed through CivicRec to ticket purchasers and returned 101 responses; optional comments were provided to commissioners for reference. Staff also reported brief outreach to neighboring cities, and said only San Gabriel had replied and had not conducted a post-show survey.
With no further action on other items, Chair Samuels adjourned the special meeting at 7:21 p.m. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
