Overview
- The California Coastal Commission denied an appeal from event organizers, so Long Beach’s longstanding Alamitos Bay fireworks will not happen this year.
- The city is operating under a five-year permit approved last year that calls for a switch from pyrotechnics to a drone show starting in 2026.
- Organizer John Morris argued the show does not pollute the water or harm wildlife based on a decade of testing and cited support from Rep. Robert Garcia, state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, and Councilmember Kristina Duggan.
- Morris said a drone show could cost about $200,000 compared with roughly $40,000 for fireworks, and he raised concerns about limited beach and boat access for a drone alternative.
- Local nonprofits that depend on event proceeds, including the Belmont Shore Rugby Club, face fundraising gaps as Southern California events like SeaWorld San Diego move to drones and San Diego’s Big Bay Boom cuts most pyrotechnics.