Ocean Beach’s Independence Day fireworks fizzled because of the deteriorating condition of OB Pier. So what is Plan B?

The beach community will begin to figure that out at the first Luminosity Festival community meeting held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Newbreak Church, 2069 Ebers St.

And leading the charge on this re-envisioning effort for July 4th was none other than Mike James of James Gang fame, whose family is responsible for creating many landmark community events, like the annual Christmas tree and parade and the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-off.

“I’m planning on going to Mike James’ meeting and look forward to seeing all the alternatives for the pier fireworks,” said Denny Knox, executive director of Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, prior to the Aug. 25 get-together. “It would be wonderful to find something new and exciting since we couldn’t have fireworks, even if we wanted to until the pier is completely replaced. Mike James and his brothers have led the way on a lot of iconic events and celebrations in OB, so I wouldn’t put it past him to come up with another great idea.”

“We could explore that (fireworks elsewhere), but we’re going to explore alternatives to fireworks, now that it is logistically impossible to have it on the pier anymore,” said James, who added community discussion will also involve the environmental consequences of fireworks, as well fireworks’ impact on animals and those suffering from PTSD. “Those are additional reasons to look at alternatives to fireworks,” he noted.

Pointing out that the new steering committee conducting the first Luminosity Festival is “in the very beginning stages of planning,” James added the group will also look at “what other cities are doing around the world” in terms of light displays replacing fireworks. He added the latest high-tech trend involves drone shows.

“Drones are lit up and you might have 150 to 500 drones all at once completing a program designed in the air,” James said, “more and more cities are doing drone shows.”

James pointed out that there are some drawbacks to doing drone shows. “It will be more expensive (than fireworks) right now because the technology is so new, but that cost will drop as more and more companies do these types of drone shows and the technology gets better,” said James. “But (right now) we’re probably looking at maybe a little less than twice the amount we’re paying for fireworks.”

Knox of OBMA said the cost of staging the Fourth of July event including permitting, insurance, and fireworks was “around $34,000 in 2019, so it would be a lot more now, probably closer to $42,000.”

James said festive lighting alternatives could involve things other than drones. “There is the possibility of doing laser shows, and also doing some lighting on the pier,” he said. “There are different lighting techniques that can be used on the pier, like water projections, where you would have a waterfall coming off the pier. That’s one possibility. Maybe we could also commission some artists to do light sculptures. There is also the possibility of projecting light images like those on buildings. We’re looking at exploring alternatives. That’s why we’re having this meeting, and then we will go from there.”