San Diego County is preparing for its Fourth of July celebrations on July 4, 2026, marking the nation's 250th Independence Day with fireworks and drone displays across multiple venues.
The flagship event, the Big Bay Boom, will adopt strict new environmental rules that ban perchlorate, a traditional firework oxidizer, as mandated by the California Coastal Commission.
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The Port of San Diego must now source eco-friendly shells from domestic and Spanish manufacturers, raising the event's total projected cost to just under $1 million, compared to $813,000 last year, according to port spokesperson Gabriella Rodriguez.
Sam Bruggema, the San Diego show producer with Pyro Spectaculars, explained that removing perchlorate alters the visual display because alternative options limit available color intensity.
"You don't get the same colors, nothing's brilliant," Bruggema said.
He added that some hues will be completely unavailable for the waterfront show.
"Some colors you can't even get by not using perchlorate, so it basically mutes what's available in the spectrum of colors," Bruggema said.
To complement the visuals, the production will feature a synchronized radio simulcast on 91X FM incorporating historical audio clips and a musical arrangement for the finale.
"The last song, for the finale, will be a mix of 'The Star Spangled Banner' with many of the celebrities who have performed it, from Whitney Houston to Mariah Carey, and all the more well-known singers of the last 25 or so years," Bruggema said.
