150 Drones Light Up Essex County Sky for Second Annual Hanukkah Show
On Dec. 25, 2024, the sky above LifeTown in Livingston, New Jersey, came alive as 150 drones moved through the air. The community center’s show amazed people watching in Essex County. Despite the cold weather, hundreds came out to see this second yearly event. Before the main show started, fire jugglers entertained the crowd, building excitement for the menorah lighting.
“We’re mixing it up, we have more drones this year, and more three-dimensional stuff going, so it’s going to be very exciting. Going to be a lot of oohs and aahs from the kids and that’s what means so much to us,” said Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, LifeTown CEO and event organizer, to News 12.
As darkness fell, modern technology met ancient tradition. Beautiful patterns formed high in the sky, showing how far celebrations have come. The drones created images against the night sky, captivating viewers below.
This new spin on the eight-day festival shows how celebrations change with the times. Before this, Essex gatherings focused on music, candles, and holiday shopping. New additions like drone shows point to changing holiday traditions. The evening started with talented fire performers, then moved to the special moment of lighting the menorah. For two years now, these light shows keep bringing bigger crowds. Even the cold December weather couldn’t stop people from coming to watch.
Local officials loved how the event brought people together. Everyone shared the same sense of awe watching the sky light up above them. While staying true to Hanukkah’s spirit, the show mixed entertainment with tradition. This blend helped attract all kinds of people.
Even though next year’s plans aren’t set yet, this success could start a trend. By combining old and new, the event builds excitement for future holiday celebrations.
