Central Park New Year’s Eve Drone Show Cancelled: Florida Accident Leads to Cancellation
This New Year’s Eve, Central Park will not feature its anticipated drone show, as plans for the event were abruptly canceled due to a tragic incident that occurred in Florida. The Central Park and Prospect Park fireworks displays were initially called off by Mayor Eric Adams in response to a regional drought, but the ban has since been lifted. Both parks had planned to replace the fireworks with drone shows. However, a devastating accident involving a child in Florida has forced Central Park to cancel their drone show.
Florida Drone Incident Prompts Cancellation
Over the weekend, a child in Florida required open-heart surgery after being struck in the chest by a drone during a show put on by the same vendor hired for Central Park’s event, Sky Elements. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident, as they are responsible for granting permits for drone performances. Due to this tragic event, Central Park organizers made the difficult decision to cancel their drone show with less than a week until New Year’s Eve.
Central Park Show Unable to Proceed
New York Road Runners, the group behind the Midnight Run in Central Park on New Year’s Eve, expressed their disappointment in having to cancel the drone show so close to the event. Crystal Howard, a spokesperson for Road Runners, explained that due to the timing, they were unable to revert back to fireworks or secure another vendor in time. Despite this setback, the organizers are planning alternative surprises for runners, including additional DJs and unique light experiences along the course.
Prospect Park Show to Proceed as Planned
While Central Park’s drone show has been canceled, Prospect Park’s show is still on schedule. The Prospect Park Alliance confirmed that the free “grand light display” will take place on Tuesday night as originally planned. The event will be hosted by vendor Santore, ensuring that Brooklyn residents can still enjoy a dazzling drone performance to ring in the New Year.
In light of the recent events and safety concerns surrounding drone shows, it’s essential for organizers to prioritize the well-being of attendees and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent similar accidents in the future. The cancellation of the Central Park drone show serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and thorough vetting of vendors in event planning to avoid potential risks and uphold the integrity of public gatherings.
