Despite an estimate that the city could spend around $30,000 for fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July next year, the Ocala City Council decided to spend ten times that amount for 15-minute drone shows over Tuscawilla Park for the next two years.
A $300,000 contract with Sky Elements, LLC for drone services through February 2027 was approved 4-1 by the Ocala City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday evening.
Councilmember Jim Hilty was the lone “no” vote. He did not offer comments on the issue.
Before the council approved the measure, Mayor Ben Marciano shared that he had received an estimate that a potential fireworks show at Tuscawilla Park would cost the city around $30,000.
In response, city staff reiterated that fireworks are not possible at Tuscawilla Park due to the proximity of fertilizers stored nearby at Seminole Feed. Those fertilizers contain chemicals that pose a safety hazard.
As a result, if the city were to pursue a fireworks show, it would have to be outside of the Central Business District.
Now, the city will proceed with drone shows for the next two Fourth of July celebrations. The decision comes two months after the council decided to table a vote on the contract in light of seeking financial assistance from the county.
Despite asking the county to commit $75,000 to the event, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners indicated that it would only request $20,000.
In a letter from Marion County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes to City Manager Pete Lee earlier this month, Bouyounes indicated that around $20,000 could be obtained from the Tourist Development Tax fund.
“The request [for $75,000] was presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) during the board meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The consensus from the Board was to only move forward with requesting the $20,000 from the Tourism Development Tax [fund], consistent with the amount provided last year,” reads the letter from Bouyounes.
The $20,000 would still be subject to approval by the Tourist Development Council and would have to be approved by the BCC before it could be released to the city. According to Bouyounes, that would all likely occur over the coming months.
The cost of the inaugural drone show at the Patriotic Skies Fourth of July Celebration, which took place on July 4, 2024, was approximately $71,415.
Ocala-News.com provided the following exclusive live stream of the drone show:
During that show, which was attended by an estimated 12,000 people, approximately 300 drones were deployed for around 10 minutes.
The new contract calls for an increase in the number of drones from 300 to 600, and the use of “different drones with extended battery life to ensure a show duration of no less than 15 minutes but not exceeding 18 minutes.”
In October, Lee indicated that, although the exact economic impact was “unclear,” an impact summary from the Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau showed that the event impacted the local economy to the tune of approximately $180,000.
In the months since the drone show, Ocala-News.com has received several letters to the editor and dozens of comments on the topic.
After our story ran in October, another reader expressed that she was grateful for drones, citing safety concerns with fireworks.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your opinions in a comment or a letter to the editor.
The Ocala City Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
