When I was a pup, and I'm thinking about 7 or 8 years old, on July 3rds my Mom would walk me up Bridge Street, then past the library on Congress, turn on Middle, and onto Rogers Street passing the then-Junior High School, where I would later go learn stuff.  Finally after that adventure at my young age, we would join the crowds at the South Playground ready for an exciting special night.  

Those were the 1950s, and for me it was a fantastic treat to see the army demonstrations on the field before the fireworks began that showed our soldiers in action, complete with cannon and machine guns. World War II had recently ended, and Korea was still uncertain. Since kids my age did battle with our army playsets at home, seeing real army troops close up made it real.

Going to the fireworks was an easy 10-minute walk for us from our North End home at the corner of Deer and Bridge streets, where Statey currently stands. That was our routine until I reached about 13 years old. My Dad didn't join us because by 8 p.m. he would be in bed, needing to get up by 4 a.m. to go to Rye Beach and climb into his 18-footer to pull some 150 lobster traps, selling his catch to Ray's Seafood Restaurant or LaCava's Lobster Pound by noon to be ready for evening dinners.  

I so fondly remember those days. I suspect there are many other boys and girls who have had similar experiences through the years. In a few decades they will relive their memories, as I just now did.

Portsmouth's 400th anniversary is next year, and doesn't it seem like a good time to think about new ways to celebrate our Independence Day, bringing new excitement for our residents and visitors by using newer technology that wasn't much imagined 50, or even 25 years ago?  

Drone and holographic light shows are only at the cutting edge of a revolution of both outdoor and indoor entertainment that sees no limits.  A fascinating Ted Talk reviewing what we can expect in coming years is on YouTube: Meet the dazzling flying machines of the future | Raffaello D'Andrea.

While you're at it, search other videos, and on the Internet and you'll learn how drone light shows are affordable for communities, and make lots of sense.  

While fireworks displays can be dangerous, and can impact our environment, drones aren't without their faults, including the environmental impact of making batteries that are eventually discarded or recycled. Just about everything we use up affects our planet and climate change. Plastics. Cardboards. Cosmetics. Sprays. Paints. Oil-based products.  More about that in another column.  

Drone light shows are computer driven by companies using software that turns graphics into virtually any formation imaginable. But they can collide way up there since a hundred and more little machines are flying near each other. 

Or a drone might not quite fly the way expected.  As anyone who forgot to charge the cell phone the previous night knows, batteries don't always work. While drones are generally lightweight, having one land on your head, or hit your face or eyes if you're looking up, wouldn't be pleasant.  

But unlike an unexploded firework that falls nearby, if a drone fails you just might have a neat souvenir. I don't know about the legalities, but finders keepers when it comes to lost Frisbees!

For Portsmouth – and other cities and towns hereabouts – 2023 might be the time to start something new that will make exciting memories for our kids and adults of all ages.  Using 22nd century technology to entertain ourselves does seem more futuristic than celebrating the same way people did 500, even 1,000 years ago.    

And regardless of our age, who doesn't enjoy seeing funny-looking tiny flying machines with bright multi-colored lights?  

It's time. Our future – it's just beginning!

Today's quote: "President Obama said the small drone that flew over the White House fence yesterday could be bought at any RadioShack. After hearing this, the RadioShack CEO said, ‘I’m shocked to find out we still sell something people want.'” - Conan O’Brien

Next time: Desalination. Preparing for future droughts?

Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor, Police Commission member and School Board member, as well as New Hampshire state senator and representative.  He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.