The town of Vienna parted with tradition this Fourth of July, electing to celebrate the nation's birthday with lasers instead of fireworks after a 2007 pyrotechnics malfunction injured 11 people.

The switch to lasers has a lot of people upset. Right in front of an elementary school, a gigantic screen will go up for Friday's laser show, but many residents said they're not excited to see it, saying the holiday just won't be the same.

Authorities blamed fireworks made in China for a devastating 2007 accident in Vienna. Eleven people were hurt, two seriously, when rockets ricocheted into a crowd. Now, the town took the fireworks out of the Fourth of July. "It was a one time thing and I don't think it would happen again and I hate to take away the joy of everybody just for a one-time problem," resident Jeannue Morris said.

A Baltimore company will put on the laser show instead. Beams of light will replace roman candles and will be displayed on a massive screen. "No! It won't be the same! It's unique, it's different, it's new and I just say come out and give it a try," mayor of Vienna Jane Seeman said.

Is it unpatriotic to do a laser show instead of fireworks?

One man, who has been hit by piece of fireworks at the show in the past, said they're just too risky. "There was debris and then we heard about the injury last year so not eager to go back to live fireworks."

But a lot of people are upset since the town tradition dates back at least 40 years. "I've seen a laser show. I don't need to see another one," resident Mary Suriani. Resident Carlos Indacochea isn't much more open minded. "I'm somewhat curious about the laser show, but I have a feeling it's going to disappoint me."

The Baltimore company's laser show will cost more than twice as much as the $10,000 fireworks display. The show starts at 9:15 p.m.