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City’s Pier drone show fails to materialize
The St. Pete Pier’s much-touted 5th anniversary celebration ended with a whimper, rather than a bang.
Late-afternoon thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the celebration finale, an air show featuring 1,000 lighted drones that had been scheduled for 9 p.m.
The show, custom-built for St. Petersburg by the Texas-based Sky Elements, was at first rescheduled for 9:15.
Those in attendance said that by 10 p.m. there had been no updates.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., the announcement was made that the drone show was canceled.
Next, this message was posted to the City’s Facebook page:
DRONE SHOW UPDATE:
Due to the damage sustained to the drone equipment during the rain shower event, we are unable at this time to launch the drones safely for the drone show at the St. Pete Pier.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
This is a developing story. Watch this space for updates.
Jason Wilson
July 28, 2025at7:12 pm
They probably tried for all that time to make it happen. Technical problems happen with Technical things. If just one system wasn’t working right and something was out sync, it wouldn’t go well. So, for public safety, to keep their equipment safe, and to avoid major problems, they called it off. People can complain all you want about not getting your drone show. I think they made the correct and responsible decision.
Bob Pantzilner
July 28, 2025at12:49 pm
Humor me please… You’re a drone operator. You know your equipment can’t get wet and still work properly.. So then you schedule a drone show, in a rainy area, during rainy season. Then with all your setup preparations, you didn’t think to protect anything from possible rain. But it was the weathers fault? Lol
Aside from that BS, At 9:00PM when the drone show was advertised to start, the DJ said, sorry drone show at 9:30… At 9:30, DJ says still working on the drones I’ll keep you updated every 10 minutes on the status! Says nothing until 10:30 announcing it’s being canceled & rescheduled.
Somebody should report on what went wrong with the DJ communicating every ten minutes to nothing for an hour!
Phillip Williams
July 28, 2025at12:21 pm
The rainstorm that we all suffered through was around 7:30. Surely by 8:30 they knew that they couldn’t perform the show and yet we waited and waited because they said there would be a show at 9:00, then at 9:15, then every once in a while trying to get the crowd excited (but mostly just selling more food from the trucks). Finally at 10:15 or so they announced it was cancelled! First – how were they not prepared for the rain that happens every day and Second – why did they wait so long? Very upsetting and disappointing.
Ken Bashford
July 28, 2025at9:10 am
It was a crime shame that it had to be canceled, but you cannot blame the drone people. It was the weather
However, I have a serious complaint. Why did they block off the lower street from the pier to the Vinoy ?????
Hundreds of people had to walk a long way to the Vinoy Park!!
People have children they have beach chair for some comfort
I ask that the city review my complaint to help the people that support the city! We love our city and we love our Pier!🙏👍🌹 also if the drone show could be more over towards the pier more people would be able to see it! Almost in line of where the boats lineup! I thank you and look forward to a reply👍
Sandy Roney
July 28, 2025at7:14 am
You can do better St Pete.