The American-Made Drone Company Reshaping Holiday Celebrations
As drone-powered light shows gain popularity, Firefly Drone Shows of Michigan is utilizing American-made drones to light up the skies.
machineryasia 
As drone-powered light shows gain popularity, Firefly Drone Shows of Michigan is utilizing American-made drones to light up the skies.
What’s the first thing you think of when planning a 4th of July party? Is it barbeque? Yard games? Maybe a slip-n-slide for the kids, or a picnic table laden with festive décor?
If you said fireworks, you’re not alone. American consumers spent more than $2 billion on fireworks in 2025, and that number may rise this year thanks to the countless America 250 celebrations planned across the country.
However, if you want to ‘buy America’ this Independence Day, you might want to avoid pyrotechnics altogether. Not many companies manufacture fireworks in the United States, and American-made fireworks are rarely available to average consumers. Of the total fireworks imported to the U.S., China made up 96.3% of those imports in 2024. Fireworks are also inherently dangerous; they’re responsible for a handful of deaths and thousands of injuries each year and can be traumatic for people and animals alike.
Fortunately, cutting back on fireworks or saying goodbye outright to personal pyrotechnics isn’t the end of aerial holiday displays. What’s the alternative?
Drone shows!
Increasing in popularity on a global scale, pre-programmed drone shows are a fantastic way to celebrate Independence Day without straying from American-made products or causing accidental injury. Companies are popping up all over the U.S., offering their services with custom shows and events featuring thousands of tiny drones. Some firework distributors are even starting to offer drone show services, recognizing the growing demand for a new kind of aerial display.
In the U.S., one company is leading the charge with drones built right here at home: Michigan’s Firefly Drone Shows.
Established in 2017 in Detroit, Firefly Drone Shows makes and designs both their light shows and their drones in Michigan. Their website advertises their services as “seamless, reliable, and unforgettable.” Impressive tech specifications and quality craftsmanship may be why they call themselves “America’s #1 Drone company,” even though they frequently provide shows for overseas clients. They’re even programming partners of the official America 250 celebration!
Aside from offering their services designing, programming, and executing over 1,000 drone shows each year, Firefly Drone Systems (an offshoot of Firefly Drone Shows) also acts as a manufacturer and provider of the same systems it uses in its aerial displays. They don’t just sell the drones, either— in fact, the software and equipment needed to successfully and safely execute these light shows can be browsed on their website and purchased by professionals in multiple different sectors from entertainment to education. If you’re not interested in your own fleet of light-up drones, the company is often contracted by major corporations and events. They’ve designed spectacles for casino openings in California, poker tournaments in the Bahamas, and even a marriage proposal in Indiana, to name a few. If you’re planning for private events, Firefly also offers smaller drone packages, and clients work directly with their programmers and designers to create the show that’s right for them.
Still unsure about drones over fireworks? Well, don’t worry— fireworks are still a huge part of celebrations year-round. Firefly Drone Shows even incorporates pyrotechnics into their shows upon request, so you can still experience the nostalgia of a sparkling night sky.
If you’re going out this weekend to celebrate the 4th, keep your eyes peeled for drones lighting up the sky. Who knows, they might just be Made in America!
The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.
Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.
For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.
