Flagstaff contracts OpenSky for July 4 drone show; 300‑drone, 23‑minute display to launch from Coconino High

City staff and commissioners discussed July programming across recreation centers and a planned July 4 drone show that the city procured from OpenSky for $95,000, a contract the council approved earlier this year.

Haley and other staff described the drone show as a 23‑minute program using up to 300 drones (with a 150‑drone buildup and a 300‑drone crescendo), launching from Coconino High School’s back baseball field and flying northwest to southeast over the Mesa. The show will be synchronized to custom audio broadcast on local radio partners and will be video‑streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

Staff said Great Circle Media and Discovery Flagstaff are providing the radio audio feed and that the vendor’s inclement‑weather policy allows flights in light rain and wind up to about 30 miles per hour; major winds, lightning or monsoonal conditions would force a delay. The vendor contract includes a reschedule clause that allows the city to move the event to a later date within a year if necessary; staff said the city paid a 50% deposit and that remaining payment is due upon show completion.

Staff said the show was sited in Class G airspace to simplify permitting and that the vendor will fly to FAA limits (staff said the operational ceiling cited was 400 feet above the tallest local obstacle). Staff also described outreach to nearby businesses and bus route information and encouraged residents to walk, bike or use district parking locations identified on a public map and QR code. The city did not purchase an additional city insurance policy specifically to insure against inclement weather for the event; staff said vendor proposals included weather policies and that rescheduling negotiations with procurement could apply if the show is canceled entirely.

Staff framed the drone show as part of Parks and Recreation Month programming, which also includes themed skates, community build events with Home Depot kits, open houses, public‑skate extensions at the AquaPlex and additional center programming. Staff asked the commission to allow the city to focus on executing this year’s drone show and promised after‑action reviews and community feedback for future years.[NOTE: No additional special‑event insurance policy was reported; staff said event permits and vendor weather policies govern the show.]