'Incredible' Drone Display in Philadelphia Pays Tribute to Front Line Heroes

More than one hundred drones were used in a light show that paid tribute to first responders working amid the coronavirus pandemic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, April 28.

Footage recorded by Mandi Specos-Perkins shows the brightly lit drones forming a range of messages such as ‘Thank U Heroes’ and ‘#phillyblue.’ The drones also formed images such as a heart and an angry-looking coronavirus slowly being dissolved during the show.

The display was put on by Verge Aero, who have previously worked on concerts with Coldplay and the Rolling Stones. The light show was held as part of two campaigns, #PhillyShinesBlue and #LightItBlue, near the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, according to PhillyVoice.

Speaking to Storyful, Specos-Perkins, a volunteer for the Philadelphia Second Alarmers who also works for a local children’s hospital, said, “It truly was a breathtaking way to show support and thanks to EMS and health care workers during such a taxing and hard time.”

When she uploaded the footage to Facebook, Specos-Perkins called the display “So incredible!!!!”

The state of Pennsylvania has reported 54,989 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,360 deaths as of May 7. Credit: Mandi Specos-Perkins via Storyful