There to take in Greater Sudbury’s first-ever drone show, thousands of Sudburians flocked to the grounds of Science North as dusk fell July 1.
The 10-minute-long show put on by NorthStar Drone Shows featured 100 lighted drones flown in formation via a high-tech computerized GPS system, forming patterns including the Big Nickel, Canadian flag, a flying squirrel and more.
Science North asked NorthStar to produce patterns related to Sudbury, science and nature. The patterns were set to music by various Canadian artists, and ended with the playing of O Canada.
“Each drone in the show has got its own flight path,” said NorthStar owner Patrice Guy, adding that each of the small, custom-made drones has lighting equivalent to 960 lumens.
“So we've got 100 drones and 100 flight paths. When the drones take off, they're all independent, and each drone doesn't know that there's other drones with it, it just follows its flight path. All the drones are kept into position with our ground control station that we’re building just behind you.”
He said when the show starts “is pretty much when our job is over. We watch just like you.”
Guy said he’s been doing drone shows for eight years, starting out in Asia, and moving his operations to Canada four years ago. He said his company also puts on traditional fireworks shows.
Speaking to Sudbury.com on the afternoon of Canada Day, as his team was setting up the show on Science North’s grounds, Guy said he hoped people would like the show.
“We worked very hard to do a show that we hope that people here will like,” Guy said.
Science North received $30,000 from the City of Greater Sudbury through the Community Grants Program to support the drone show. The cost of the drone show is the same as the traditional fireworks display, the science centre said.
Science North CEO Ashley Larose, who also spoke to us prior to the show on the afternoon of July 1, said given the science centre is all about technology and innovation, putting on a drone show seemed like a perfect idea.
“There's also a couple of other reasons as well,” Larose said. “So many people don't know this, but fireworks can actually be quite a source of both sound light and atmospheric pollution, not just in their fabrication, but also when they're let off.
“Anyone who has a pet realizes that there's also quite an impact, typically, of the noises and the big loud bangs of the fireworks. And also when we're sensitive to members of our community who may be suffering from PTSD, often those bangs can also be traumatizing for them as well. This is a nice, inclusive and equitable alternative that's also great for the environment.”
Larose said she thought people would love the show.
“It is going to be custom to our city,” she said. “So you will see some familiar landmarks in the patterns. It's also set to music, and if you're nearby and you'll be able to see the show, you'll be able to hear the music as well.”
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.