Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears plan for larger Fourth of July drone show and new event logistics at Fox Glenn
Summary
Staff told commissioners the city contracted a larger drone show (about $122,500 for 400 drones) and plans to stage viewing and activities at Fox Glenn with shuttles, ticketing, and no on‑site parking; staff estimated an optimized attendance of 15,000–20,000 and said further details on parking, tickets and ADA access remain to be finalized.
Events and athletics staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 16 that planning is underway for a larger Fourth of July drone show and other summer events.
Staff said the drone show contract approved in January budgets roughly $122,500 for a 400‑drone show, larger than last year, to allow for additional 3‑D imagery and an expanded program tied to the community’s 250th (anniversary noted by staff). Fox Glenn was proposed as a single launch and optimized viewing location; staff described staging music, food trucks and children’s activities on adjacent fields and said the launch area itself would be locked down for safety.
To reduce traffic and parking pressure, staff proposed closing part of Butler to the light, using Mountain Line shuttle service and staging staff parking and emergency response staging at Sonawa elementary and other lots. Ticketing and exact pricing remain under discussion; staff said ADA parking would be reserved and not charged if ticketing is used.
Staff estimated the back ball fields’ square footage could hold up to 50,000 in theory, but projected a realistic attendance of 15,000–20,000 for the optimized viewing area. Commissioners questioned optical radius and visibility from nearby neighborhoods; staff said neighbors may see the show but the event would be advertised as an on‑site viewing experience.
Staff also reviewed event allocation changes for athletics—shifting to three seasons (spring, summer, fall) for local user groups to simplify space requests—and briefed the commission on a Route 66 Centennial street fair planned for June 6 on Aspen and Heritage Square, coordinated by Economic Vitality with parks supporting beautification work.
Next steps include finalizing parking, shuttle and ticketing logistics and coordinating with Mountain Line, FUSD and public safety for staging and emergency response.
