Sudbury 250 committee drops drone show from April 19 plan, considers combined cannon and drone evening for July 4, 2026

The Sudbury 250 committee on September 12 decided to remove a planned drone show from the April 19 Colonial Fair schedule because of visibility, timing and cost concerns, and discussed staging a combined cannon and drone evening event for July 4, 2026 (or a January 2026 evening presentation) instead.

Robinson (Rachel) described the drone option as attractive but expensive, saying the "base cost is $10,000," and members raised concerns about whether the April 19 timeline would allow good visibility for a drone light show at sunset. Committee members noted April evenings would be too late for a visible display and suggested delaying to an evening with earlier darkness or combining the drone show with a cannon presentation on July 4, 2026.

Members explored funding options, including sponsorships or state funds, and Garvey reported that the committee had identified a $25,000 allocation from the Select Board and that he had contacted Representative Carmen Gentiles' office about the state budget process and timing. The Representative’s office indicated the state budget was moving through the legislature; no specific state funding was guaranteed in the meeting.

The committee agreed to remove drones from the April 19 lineup for now, keep April 19 as a daytime music and dinner event, and investigate funding and logistics for a July 4 evening program featuring a cannon presentation possibly paired with a drone show if funding and visibility allow.

No formal vote was recorded on the drone item; members expressed consensus to postpone the drone element pending funding and scheduling decisions, and tasked staff and volunteers with pursuing sponsorship and logistical details.