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Pasco council weighs flags, torch run and drone show for 250th anniversary Fourth of July
Summary
City staff presented options for an enhanced Fourth of July celebration tied to the nation's 250th: a time capsule, a torch run, citywide flagpoles, and a drone show. Councilors favored flag pole installations and a torch run; staff warned drone vendors require earlier bookings and stressed logistics and cost tradeoffs with existing events.
Director Jesse Rice presented several optional enhancements for Pasco’s Fourth of July/250th anniversary celebration at the Nov. 24 workshop and asked the council which to pursue as staff prepare mid‑biennium budget adjustments.
Options presented included a time capsule (estimated $2,500–$3,000), a torch run (estimated $11,070–$17,500), city flag and pole installations (estimated $10,000–$15,000 for a visually impactful installation) and a drone show to augment the fireworks display (vendor quotes vary and require early booking). Rice said drone bookings are time‑sensitive and that staff need early direction if the council wants a drone component.
Council discussion focused on cost, logistics and coordination with existing events such as Camp Patriot and the city parade. Several councilors preferred purchasing and installing flags and poles because they are a reusable, one‑time investment; others liked the idea of a torch run that could be tied to existing runs (Camp Patriot) to reduce duplication of effort. Some councilors said they would not replace the traditional fireworks show with drones but suggested combining elements or testing a smaller drone component.
Public commenters urged caution on added costs and emphasized staff capacity; other commenters recommended finding sponsors or community groups to underwrite enhancements. Staff will return with more detailed cost and logistics information if the council directs them to pursue one or more options.
Next steps: staff to refine cost estimates and scheduling for council direction and to include chosen enhancements in upcoming budget adjustment items if the council decides to proceed.
