The theme of this year’s Vivid Sydney 2024 Drone Show is ‘Love Is In The Air’ – an unforgettable spectacle and one of the Vivid 2024 highlights. Over 700 drones illuminate the night sky above Circular Quay, crafting a visual symphony of universal symbols of love.
The first live performance of the Vivid ‘Love is in the Air’ drone show was at 9:10pm on the 9th of June and will be repeated on the 15th.
Attendees at Vivid Sydney say they felt “trapped” trying to get home after larger-than-expected numbers attended the festival’s drone show on Saturday night.
The festival has drawn huge crowds to the CBD during the past two weeks, with a similar turnout expected at tonight’s second drone spectacular.
Following last night’s event, many attendees claimed they became “trapped” near the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. Police said a larger-than-expected number of attendees resulted in congestion, particularly in and around transport hubs. Crowds dispersed after a short period and there were no injuries or incidents reported.
Images posted to social media show the Circular Quay foreshore tightly packed with revellers.
Former NSW government minister Victor Dominello attended the drone show and said crowd control was “non-existent from what I saw”.
‘It was human sardines,” he said.
“These are New Year’s Eve crowds but on steroids. No-one anticipated how many people would be on the foreshore.”
More Safety Measures, Extra Police
Festival director Gill Minervini acknowledged that some people had an “uncomfortable” experience at yesterday’s show, but disputed that control measures were inadequate.
She said that all agencies working at the event, including NSW Police, ambulance and Transport for NSW, had vast experience in managing big crowds, and were prepared.
“The crowd did move safely through the festival,” Ms Minervini said.
“Yes, it was very busy, but like when you go to a football game or a concert, it was a very big crowd, all moving out at once. Of course, we’re always reviewing our plans, and have continued to do so today, as we do every day with this event.”
Last night, more officers were sent to the impacted area, according to Ms Minervini.
Ms Minervini reiterated Health Minister Ryan Park’s message from earlier this morning that extra safety measures have been put in place, including a bigger police presence.
Sources: YouTube; abc news