Doña Ana County outlines free three‑day 250th celebration with drone shows, concerts and youth events

Doña Ana County staff on March 10 presented a draft plan for a free, family‑oriented three‑day celebration at the county fairgrounds tied to the nation’s 250th, proposing drone light shows each night and a mix of live and regional entertainment.

Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez said staff issued an open RFP for a drone‑light provider, received three bids and scored one vendor highest. The selected vendor faces a 15‑day protest period before staff can seek a contract award at the next meeting.

"We want to provide free family entertainment," Lopez said, describing three proposed locations at the fairgrounds for live music and a variety of activities including a beer and wine garden in the Special Events Building, a main pavilion dance area and a family activity zone. Staff also proposed a time‑capsule program with schools to be sealed and opened in 50 years.

Planning staff presented preliminary estimates that include approximately $224,000 for the drone show production and staging, $145,000 for security and EMS, and $120,000 for entertainment programming, plus additional sums for sanitation, operations and marketing. Staff said they will pursue community partnerships and cost‑sharing where possible.

Commissioners asked staff to include charter schools in the time‑capsule project and to explore transit options so residents from southern parts of the county can attend; staff said transit pickup points are being considered. Vice Chair Gomez urged respectful community meetings and recommended bringing developer partners to Q&A sessions where needed.

Staff also framed the 250th effort as a near‑term testbed for a longer‑term vision: activating the fairgrounds and building experience that could feed into the proposed amphitheater and a future concert series funded in part by the GoBond program.