Commission clears draft RFP seeking fireworks, drone and hybrid shows for 2026 'Sky Show'; public urged no balloons or fireworks

The Community Services Commission voted Sept. 8 to release a draft request for proposals (RFP) to solicit vendors for the city’s 2026 July 4 “Sky Show,” asking firms to propose one of three formats: a traditional fireworks display, a hybrid fireworks-and-drone show, or a fully drone-based aerial display.
Staff said the broader RFP will give the city flexibility to compare safety, cost and community impacts among different formats before recommending a final option to city council. Melissa Snyder, deputy director of community services, told commissioners staff will solicit proposals, present them to the Natural Resources and Public Safety commissions for review, and then return recommendations to the Community Services Commission prior to a council decision.
At the start of the meeting a public commenter, Tucker Nelson, urged the city to eliminate balloons and fireworks from celebration planning on environmental and wildlife-protection grounds and suggested substitutes such as bunting, pinwheels and tissue-paper decorations. Nelson also raised concerns about noise and air pollution from fireworks and urged the commission to consider drone-only options or other non-pyrotechnic displays.
Commission discussion addressed technical and budget questions, including drone counts and show length. Commissioners and staff noted that drone shows require different logistics — including FAA and site safety clearances — and that higher-drone-count shows are more expensive. Staff said the department requested additional budget flexibility to cover higher-cost show options and that vendors are booking early for the 250th anniversary of the nation in 2026. Commissioners asked staff to make music and synchronization requirements explicit in the RFP after hearing that earlier regional drone shows had suffered from poor audio synchronization.
A motion to approve release of the RFP, subject to edits requested by the commission (including clarifying technical language and making synchronization and duration requirements explicit), passed unanimously. Staff will publish the RFP and return with proposals and recommendations later in the fall; staff said an ideal schedule would allow a council contract award early next year so vendors can lock dates for 2026.
Why it matters: The vote allows the city to evaluate non-pyrotechnic alternatives alongside traditional fireworks and sets up further public and interagency review, including Natural Resources and Public Safety commissions and city council. Public comment at the meeting signaled local concern about environmental and animal impacts from both balloons and fireworks.
Next steps: Staff will edit and post the RFP, receive proposals, and bring recommendations to the Natural Resources and Public Safety commissions and the Community Services Commission before a council decision. The commission also discussed forming a subcommittee to assist with 250th-anniversary planning and to help ensure the event budget supports a broader slate of activities beyond the Sky Show.