News clip: https://youtu.be/9Hlm5D8IKC0
{O/C} {And finally}
It is drones, not fireworks, which are due to pulsate in America's skies on July 4th.
With more on that story is NBC News.
{Take SOT}
There are the sights and sounds of the fourth of July.
{Upsound 00:03 - 00:04}
But this year, across America, towns are doing something different to celebrate the stars and stripes -- ditching fireworks for drones.
{Soundbite}
I thought it was really cool.
{VO}
It's growing in popularity out west, where the fire danger is higher than ever. Each year, the number of wildfires spiked dramatically on the fourth.
{Soundbite}
MONICA RODRIGUEZ, LA City 7th District Councilwoman:
We cannot ignore the environmental impacts and the circumstances that we're in today.
{VO}
Here in the small town of Gypsum, Colorado, that's mayor Steven Carver's top concern.
So this year, he's hosting the town's first-ever drone show.
{Soundbite}
STEVEN CARVER, Mayor of Gypsum, Colorado:
I do think it will replace the fireworks.
(Why?)
Well, our community understands the fire danger here.
{VO}
And it's not just the fire concerns.
Recent data shows costs are up 35 percent across the fireworks industry due to inflation and supply chain disruptions.
{Soundbite}
JOSH PAPPAS, Superior Fireworks Communications & Technology Director:
It used to cost about eight to ten thousand dollars to ship a container of fireworks. And today, we are looking at thirty-five to forty thousand dollars.
{VO}
Driving the demand for drones sky high.
{Soundbite}
PAUL WHITNEY, Bluemedia Executive Producer:
We've seen about a 70 to 80 percent increase in volume as far as calls and requests for our drone shows.
{VO}
This year, drones taking centre stage from sea to shining sea.
Drone company UAV is completely booked this holiday weekend.
For the show in Gypsum, they show us how they first calibrate 100 drones.
{Upsound 01:34 - 01:36}
And they line them up. Each drone is pre-programmed and computer-controlled.
{Soundbite}
Where is this technology going?
I think we are at the very beginning. So I can't imagine what it's going to be like in five years.
The sky's the limit?
The sky's the limit, yeah.
{VO}
And they say each show tells a story.
{Soundbite}
So what story are you telling tonight?
{Soundbite}
Well, I just want the story of independence to be brought to us through the drones to our citizens of Gypsum.
{VO}
Tech lighting up the America's skies on its 246th birthday.
{Erin McLaughlin, NBC News, Gypsum, Colorado.}
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