Maine City Plans to Ring in New Year With Drone Show

Even though New Year’s Eve is traditionally thought of as being an adult holiday, nearly every community features some kind of family-friendly NYE celebration.

The closeout to Northern Lights at L. L. Bean, for example.  That event, which runs from 11 AM to 6 PM, will feature crafts, skating, a magic show, and music from Motor Booty Affair.

In addition to events put on by businesses, many towns and cities across the country also host family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations.  These events, which often run from the afternoon through early evening, typically feature vendors and music performed by local bands, and they often close out with a fireworks display.

Central Maine is no stranger to events like this.  In fact, the City of Auburn is going to be hosting a family-friendly event to ring in 2024.

However, the celebration in Auburn will end with a bit of a twist.

According to the Facebook event page, the NYE celebration will feature live music from Grammy Award winner Dave Gutter, the band Ish, and the throwback band Hello Newman.

Attendees will be able to get their fill of food from a selection of food trucks that include Burnt Ends Barbecue, Rollin' In The Dough, Tripp's Farmhouse Café, Burke's Perks Café, and Casa Del Taco.

Adults will be able to have a drink from Gritty McDuff's, Craft Brew Underground, Lost Valley Brewing Company, Geary Brewing Company, Side By Each Brewing Company, and more.

Of course, the highlight of the event will be Maine’s first drone show.  Yes, instead of ending the celebration with a traditional fireworks display, Auburn will end their event with a drone show put on by a company called Sky Elements.

Drone shows, which have gained popularity over the last few years, feature hundreds of illuminated drones.  The fleets of drones fly in formations to create images in the sky.  Basically, they are like a 21^st century version of sky-writing.

Check out this video showing one of their recent drone shows:

The event will take place from 3-9 PM at Festival Plaza.  Perfect timing for adults who still want to go to a traditional New Year’s Eve celebration after they put the kids to bed.  First, you take the kids to see the drone show.  Then, after they are in bed, you and your special someone can go out to an adult party.