THUNDER BAY — With fireworks fading into history for many events, the city is instead welcoming 400 drones for the first-time ever in a two-day light show.
Thunder Bay city officials are inviting the community to attend the city’s Summer Send-Off for the outdoor concert series Live on the Waterfront at Marina Park on Aug. 27 and 28, where they will get the chance to experience two drone shows. The displays are being done in partnership with the Thunder Bay International Airports Authority.
They are scheduled to take flight over Lake Superior on Wednesday and Thursday, creating two unique shows, the city said in a media release. "Four hundred drones will take flight over Lake Superior each night, creating breathtaking images and animations that light up the night sky," the release said.
City officials said that privately-operated drones are not allowed at the event.
Live music will start both nights off at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 p.m., with the drone shows scheduled to start both nights at 9:45 p.m.
The two-day-long event has a designated Country Night on Aug. 27, and a Pop Night on Aug. 28, where a total of six Canadian artists — most of them local — will take the stage. They include London, Ont. singer-songwriter Amanda Keeles headlining the first night and Thunder Bay's Lockyer Boys closing out night two.
Boom Town, Throwback, Cassidy Houston and Katherine Nemec are also scheduled to perform.
Geared towards family-friendly fun, local organizations, artisans and community groups will also be at the event alongside food vendors, the city said.
People can park at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and catch a free shuttle to the Tourism Pagoda in the downtown north core for a quick walk to Marina Park, the city said, adding that shuttles start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.
Community members are being encouraged to gather in the Festival Area of Marina Park, which the city said is the best location for viewing.
Updates on the event will be posted to the City of Thunder Bay Culture & Events Facebook page.
Live on the Waterfront has been presented by Ontario Power Generation.
