Baltimore's Inner Harbor became the nucleus of patriotic fervor on the Fourth of July, drawing thousands to feast their eyes on a spectacle of fireworks and drones. The night sky was ablaze with approximately 1,000 fireworks and lit by 250 drones, conjuring images iconic to the city. The event, a mix of audiovisual performances included spins by a DJ, tunes from a live band, and symphonic renditions by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, according to CBS News Baltimore.
BSO's top brass, President and CEO Mark Hanson, remarked on the unifying power of such events. "It's a shared language," Hanson said, as per CBS News Baltimore, emphasizing the orchestra's role in bringing the community together. The fireworks and drone display, which kicked off at approximately 9:30 p.m., was as much an auditory feast as it was a visual wonder. Image Engineering took credit for the show, which they said was specially designed by and for residents of Baltimore. "It really is a hometown-based show," Michaela O'Gallagher of Image Engineering shared.
Mayor Brandon Scott made an impressive entrance at the harbor via kayak just hours before the commencement of the celebrations. In his statement, Mayor Scott praised the family-friendly nature of the celebration and thanked the myriad organizations and community partners involved in bringing the event to life. Alongside patriotic displays, drones created formations such as "Baltimore Strong" and paid homage to local landmarks such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the shape of Maryland itself, as reported by WBAL TV.
Police presence was noticeably bolstered for the event, with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley having indicated in an interview earlier in the week that there would be substantial security. "I think the last few years have been pretty safe, since Baltimore's really cracked down on security, I think I even see a few police officers over there already so it should be good today," said Baltimore native Steve Akpunne, as detailed by WBAL TV.
