PETA Pushes Back Against Niagara Falls Fireworks

Niagara Falls Tourism’s decision to launch 151 consecutive nights of fireworks this summer has sparked backlash from animal rights organization PETA, which argues the nightly pyrotechnic displays pose serious threats to animals, the environment, and noise-sensitive individuals.

In a recent effort to pressure the tourism board into rethinking its approach, PETA mailed a provocative package to the organization’s Board of Directors and CEO Janice Thomson. The delivery included a laser light projector, two drones, and a vintage Niagara Falls poster. The contents were meant to symbolize quieter, more animal-friendly alternatives to traditional fireworks.

Branded with the slogan “You Can Wow, Without the Pow,” the campaign aims to persuade tourism officials to end the nightly explosions in favor of less disruptive technologies such as drone shows or coordinated laser displays. The organization also included a novelty noise button labeled “Niagara FAILS Animals,” featuring audio clips mimicking the chaos animals endure during fireworks such as dogs howling, tires screeching, and birds colliding with buildings.

PETA warns that the nightly fireworks have harmful consequences beyond entertainment. The organization cites reports of companion animals breaking through windows or jumping fences in panic - many of whom are never found again. Wild animals, startled by the booms, often run into traffic leading to accidents and fatalities. The displays also contribute to pollution by emitting toxins such as lead, aluminum, and sulfur that can spike local air pollution levels by as much as 42%.

To date, more than 90,000 people have joined PETA’s petition urging Niagara Falls officials to eliminate the fireworks and explore safer, environmentally friendly alternatives. The group continues to advocate for an end to what it calls “traumatizing spectacles” and promotes a vision of tourism that celebrates the natural wonder of the Falls without inflicting harm on animals or the ecosystem.

For more on the campaign and PETA’s ongoing advocacy work, visit PETA.org.

PETA Pushes Back Against Niagara Falls Fireworks