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What was meant to be a dazzling alternative to fireworks ended in chaos as drones from South Carolina’s Folly Beach New Year’s Eve show plummeted to the ground, injuring one spectator. The mishap, reminiscent of a recent drone show debacle in Florida, has sparked an investigation into what went wrong.

The Folly Association of Business (FAB), which organized the event, had aimed to offer an environmentally friendly celebration with a high-tech twist. The drone show kicked off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night with about 250 drones, but within three minutes, it spiraled into disaster.

Spectators shouted warnings as drones began falling. According to Sgt. Zack Halpern of the Folly Beach Department of Public Safety, the falling drones caused a scene of confusion and concern before the remaining drones initiated a controlled descent. One man sustained facial injuries during the incident. He was treated on-site and released, according to FAB’s statement.

FAB confirmed they are collaborating with Lightyear Drones, the drone show operator, and local authorities to determine the cause of the failure. “New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate, and for reasons beyond our control, we were not able to deliver the spectacular drone show we had planned for the community. At this time, we do not have details on what went wrong with the display,” FAB stated.

Lightyear Drones has expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing their commitment to audience safety. “The wellbeing of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused,” the company said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is expected to contribute to the investigation of the drone show fail.

Stuart White, a certified FAA drone operator who attended the event, suggested to local media that high winds from an incoming cold front might have been the root cause. “These systems are not necessarily designed to work well in the wind, that’s in my opinion where the failure happened and honestly, I think it should’ve been canceled before they attempted to do it at all, but there’s immense pressure on the people who are providing that service to make it happen,” he explained.

White estimated hearing at least 15 drones collide mid-air before falling.

More: DJI’s top 2024 gadgets: Drones, cameras, and power solutions

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Hundreds of people gathered on Folly Beach to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah.

Many said what it meant for the people of the Jewish faith to gather in the Lowcountry while celebrating with others with different cultures and backgrounds.

“By setting up the menorah, lighting singing songs, and saying our prayers little bit about how we celebrate Hanukkah,” attendee Shosanna Richek said.

Rabbi Joseph Rosen led those who attended the lighting of the menorah in song and readings of Scripture to celebrate this holiday season.

“Knowing how faith conscious the Lowcountry is, there’s a lot of curiosity and a time when we’re feeling lots of intense some divisions, whatever they may be, having these opportunities to bring people together through spiritual education and share and enjoy is oh so important,” Rosen said.

Both Rosen and Richek believe this celebration is a chance for everyone to join hand and hand.

Richek, a reformed Jew, says everyone is welcome in their temple.

“Just as I attend with my fiancé, his church and I learn more about the Bible. I think it’s important to learn about the different cultures we have,” Richek said.

Rosen said his favorite part of the holiday season is the food.

After the lighting of the menorah, everyone indulged in traditional Jewish fried desserts, representing the oil lasting eight days in Jerusalem.

“Each holiday has its own special treats, and so to designate this time that are treats have waited meeting as well. Just adds a little extra spirit,” he said.

In addition to their delicious treats, they also danced and sang to soak in the holiday spirit.

Being this is the third year of the celebration on Folly Beach, and Rosen’s first time experiencing it, he said he understands the weight behind this unity.

“It’s important Having these experiences is really important to bring people together and build resilience so that when the tough times, we find ways to lean on feather, and learn from each other, rather than fall back to suspicion in fear.”

Rosen said he hopes all people feel welcomed with open arms in their temples.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Published: Dec. 27, 2024 at 2:08 AM PST|

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC/AP) - A celebration scheduled for Saturday night on Folly Beach will gather people in a celebration of the Festival of Lights.

On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jewish people gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah, a multibranched candelabra.

In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.

With the tiny supply of ritually pure oil they found in the temple, which they expected to last only a day, they lit the menorah and it stayed lit for eight days. The ritual of lighting a nightly candle, as well as the emphasis on cooking foods in oil such as potato pancakes called latkes, memorialize this miraculously long-lasting oil.

Residents and guests of Folly Beach are celebrating Hanukkah for the third year in a row with prayers from a Rabbi at Folly River Park. Visitors will see the lighting of the Menorah and participate in songs with multilingual song sheets. Organizers say the most important aspect of the event is incorporating everyone into the festivities.

Folly Beach resident and event founder Nadine Vogel says she started the holiday event two years ago. Vogel says many Christmas events were happening in the area for the holiday season but no mentions of the Jewish holiday.

She says the help of the city mayor, residents and local businesses helped bring the Festival of Lights to Folly Beach with donations and contributions. The event gets larger each year as visitors outside of the area also attend.

“Although we did it for the Folly residents,” Vogel says. “We have found that year after year we have people coming from West Ashley, from John’s Island or from Mount Pleasant. Year one we had 75 people here, last year we counted over 80.”

The celebration continues in the Folly Beach Community Center with music, traditional holiday food and games like playing the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top. Vogel says everyone from all religious backgrounds are welcome to celebrate. She says she hears positive feedback from the community as the event is an opportunity to learn about other cultures and religions.

“All the way to, ‘I’m so glad my children learned how to play dreidel, they have friends who are Jewish and they felt left out, they didn’t know how to play,’ or ‘This is so much like our religion,’” Vogel says. “You know, I think we live in a time that we need more understanding about each other’s practices and just each other as people and I think that’s what this does.”

Guests are receiving gifts for the first time in this event. A lottery drawing will take place to receive a prize for all ages that was donated by the community. Vogel hopes each family will leave with a present for the holiday.

The event begins at 5 p.m. in Folly River Park, located on Center Street.

Hanukkah began this year at sundown on Christmas Day for the first time since 2005. It continues through New Year’s Day.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the event was scheduled to take place Friday night. It begins Saturday at 5 p.m. We regret the error.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. The Associated Press contributed to this story. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — It’s a New Year’s tradition unlike any other.

Thousands of people across the country are preparing to usher in the new year with a quick (and we mean quick) dip into icy waters — including here along the South Carolina coast.

One of the first polar bear plunges dates back to the early 1900s when the L Street Brownies in Boston took the plunge into the icy cold Dorchester Bay in 1904. The club has been celebrating the new year with a plunge ever since, according to NationalToday.com.

While many take the dip for fun, some plunge into freezing waters to raise money for charity. It’s also believed the dips boost the immune system, activate endorphins, and reduce stress.

Ocean temperatures in Charleston Harbor are currently in the low to mid-50s. Partly cloudy skies are expected on Jan. 1 with temperatures in the mid-60s.

Whether you plan to join in the festivities yourself or just want to support those brave swimmers, dive into 2025 with these polar plunges around the Charleston area:

Dunleavy’s Pub has organized a polar plunge in support of the Special Olympics of South Carolina each year for the past three decades. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in myriad Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Participants will gather on the beach around 1:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day with the plunge to happen at 2 p.m.

The pub, located at 2213 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island, will open at 9 a.m. for plungers to enjoy refreshments before the main event.

Splash into the new year dressed as one of Charleston resident Bill Murray’s iconic characters at the 11th annual Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Plunge on Folly Beach.

The plunge will take place beachside at the Tides Hotel (1 Center Street) at noon following an 11 a.m. costume contest. Prizes for Best Overall Bill Murray, Best Girl, Best Guy, and Best Team/Family Costume will be awarded.

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort will hold its annual polar plunge in front of the Sanctuary Hotel (1 Sanctuary Drive) at 11:45 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Towels will not be provided.