This photo posted on Facebook by Larry Malloy shows one of many patriotic images created by drones Friday night in Copper Harbor.

COPPER HARBOR – Copper Harbor had decided to experiment with Independence Day celebrations this year by hosting a Drone Light Show rather than its legendary traditional fireworks display.

Grant Township Clerk Cheryl Ochodnicky said there were a number of contributing factors to the decision, as well as a number of entities. Those include the Copper Harbor DDA, the Grant Township Board and the Copper Harbor Fire Department. The three primary concerns leading to the decision were pollution in the harbor, a severe shortage of volunteers and fire safety.

“For the reasons we’re talking about is trash,” Ochodnicky said. “Every year in the harbor, people who do diving are pulling up trash on Porter’s Islands, fallout from the fireworks. It’s toxic.”

According to environmentalenergyleader.com, fireworks contain various chemicals, including perchlorate, an oxidizing agent in rocket fuels, explosives, and some fertilizers. Studies conducted at Mount Rushmore National Memorial between 2011 and 2015 revealed elevated perchlorate concentrations in water and soil samples, particularly on the northeast side where fireworks were launched. This contamination underscores the lasting environmental impact of fireworks, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

The website continues, saying post-celebration firework residues settle into nearby lakes rivers and lakes, introducing toxins that harm equatic organisms and over time, degrade water quality. This persistence poses long-term risks to our aquatic ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health.

“We’re concerned about our Great Lakes, right?” Ochodnicky said. “And that contributes to it.” Because of the noise, the loons leave the harbor.

“I know there are at least four loons in the harbor right now,” Ochodnicky said, “you can hear them if you’re walking around the harbor at about five or six o’clock in the morning – and we lose them after that commotion.”

The RSCPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) states fireworks displays can cause loons to vocalize stress calls, abandon nests, and even lead to nest failures. The unpredictable and intense nature of firework sounds can be particularly stressful for these birds.

The third reason is a lack of volunteers. “Getting enough people who will volunteer to go to Porter’s Island at 11:00 at night and do this safely,” Ochodnicky said. “There’s also risk of fire, so they just asked if now is the time to change. Let’s do a nice drone show and get some feedback from the people.”

On June 29, U.P. Adventure Company published a social media post addressing the issue in Copper Harbor.

“If you’re wondering why there aren’t traditional fireworks, it’s because volunteers are needed!” the post states.

Ochodnicky, who owns the Keweenaw Agate Shop, in Copper Harbor, said she has been talking with customers and has consistently requested comments and opinions after they have seen the drone show. “That’s what I’ve been telling people,” Ochodnicky said, “and I do, I want their feedback.”

Keweenaw County resident Larry Malloy was one of several who posted on social media on Saturday and expressed his approval of the new drone show.

“Copper Harbor tried something different last night, Malloy posted. “Rather than traditional fireworks they offered an 11 minute drone show. I had my doubts but I must admit it was amazing. Well done Copper Harbor.”