Luminosity, the nonprofit formed last year to find a viable alternative to Fourth of July fireworks in Ocean Beach, announced it is in final negotiations with a drone company to host a celebration of a different kind in 2023.

“We sent out a request for proposals and received four or five back,” said Mike James, Luminosity spokesperson. “We found a company we really liked, and we’re really happy with their proposal. So we’ve started negotiating, and we’re expecting the contract to be signed in the next couple of weeks.”

OB’s Independence Day fireworks have fizzled because of the deteriorating OB Pier, which experts say can no longer support the heavy trucks needed to set up the fireworks. Previously, the western end of the pier served as the launching pad for the summertime shows.

James said a fireworks alternative show should debut this year. “We’re expecting the first one to be a 200-drone show, and we’re expecting to increase the number of drones as more financing comes in,” he said while pointing out, “Of course, there are a lot of obstacles: permits and permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (for drones to operate in airspace), as well as working with the City to find a suitable launching point. But we’re on our way now that we have the company that is going to do the show lined up.”

Asked whether laser lights or other fireworks alternatives might be employed as well in the new Fourth of July display, James replied: “Everything is still wide open. Our first priority is to do the drone show. The next priority is to do some type of light festival.”

James added Luminosity intends to start doing outreach with artists from all over San Diego asking them to submit “ideas for projects or installations that could incorporate light.” Asked what that would entail, James answered, “We’re kind of leaving that open to the artist’s interpretation, whatever concepts they come up with, for how they want to utilize light, whether that be sculptures or projection mapping.”

Luminosity is planning a string of community meetings, beginning this spring, to solicit community input on future planning for the fireworks-alternative show. He added the nonprofit also intends to “host multiple events throughout the rest of the year,” to raise funding for the new fireworks display, which is likely to exceed the cost of past fireworks displays, particularly given the relative newness of drone and laser technologies. He also urged the public to visit obluminosity.com to fill out a survey asking people what they want from an alternative fireworks display. People can also sign up online to receive the group’s monthly newsletter.

Peninsula Alliance, a nonprofit, has agreed to partner with Luminosity, providing banking, and accounting services. Consequently, donations to Luminosity are now tax-deductible. Peninsula Alliance, established in 2018, was created to collaborate with Point Loma and Ocean Beach community groups on events and special projects. They are currently working on fundraising for the Ocean Beach Veterans Plaza.

A steering committee of a dozen local citizens has been meeting, providing direction to ensure the success of Luminosity. James added steering committee members either are experts in lighting or related fields or have long experience with OB civic organizations or in planning large-scale events.

Other committees exploring fundraising, marketing, and logistics will also be formed early in 2023.

An arts council has been created to assist with the light festival element of Luminosity. The panel is made up of individuals with a background in the arts and who have ties to Ocean Beach. The role of the council is to determine the scope and vision of the light festival. Artists interested in participating in the festival can request more information at [email protected].

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Visita obluminosity.com and fill out an online survey about an alternative fireworks display. People can also sign up to receive the group’s monthly newsletter.