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Parks board backs $20,000 drone shows for Oktoberfest and Winter Jamboree
Summary
The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board unanimously recommended a $20,000 contract with BCI Entertainment LLC for drone light shows at the 2024 Waukesha Oktoberfest and the 2025 Winter Jamboree, which staff said will replace fireworks for one night and be staged from the baseball diamond.
The Waukesha City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board unanimously recommended that the common council approve a $20,000 contract with BCI Entertainment LLC to provide drone light shows for the 2024 Waukesha Oktoberfest and the 2025 Winter Jamboree.
Joanna, a special-events staff member, told the board the company would provide two shows each night at Oktoberfest and three shows at Jamboree for the combined price of $20,000, which she described as "a steal" compared with past prices around $30,000. Staff said the Oktoberfest shows would be staged from the baseball diamond with displays over the river and would replace the fireworks presentation on the second night; approximate show times were given at about 9:00 p.m. for Oktoberfest and about 8:00 p.m. on Saturday for Jamboree.
Board members asked scheduling and logistics questions about which nights and the timing relative to fireworks. No cost-share, vendor contract language, or public-safety accommodations were detailed in the discussion; staff said additional logistics remain to be worked out. Jennifer Wallner moved to approve the recommendation, Erica Yoss seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
The vote will go to the common council as the board's recommendation. The board did not provide final contract terms at the meeting; staff said they will continue coordinating staging, timing and any necessary public-safety plans with the vendor and event partners.
