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Arcadia approves up to $208,600 for 'Heads in the Sky' drone show for America's 250th celebration
Summary
Arcadia City Council approved a professional services agreement with Heads in the Sky for a drone show at Santa Anita Park on July 4 as part of the city's America's 250th celebration; the drone contract is not to exceed $208,600 and the overall event budget was cited as up to $400,000.
The Arcadia City Council on March 17 approved a professional services agreement with Heads in the Sky to produce a drone show at Santa Anita Park for the city’s America's 250th celebration. Staff said the proposed contract is not to exceed $208,600 and that the council previously approved an event budget of up to $400,000 for the celebration (before sponsorships or ticket offsets).
Council debate focused on whether the cost was an appropriate use of public funds. Councilmember Sharon Kwan said the planned city contribution ‘‘is just too extravagant’’ and worried about prioritizing taxpayer dollars: "I just don't think it's a fiscal, responsible to spend that kind of money, a $400,000…it's just way too much." Kwan argued the city could instead acquire drones for public safety or rely on Downtown Arcadia Association’s lower‑cost events.
Staff and event consultants responded that costs are elevated because the 250th anniversary show will use about double the number of drones and custom choreography compared with recent downtown shows, and that holiday timing increases vendor pricing. Staff estimated the drone display would be 12–15 minutes and said the city’s prior in‑kind contribution to downtown events had historically been about $15,000 (public safety and permit support), not direct contract expenses. "It is because it is being held on the holiday so the prices are escalated," staff said.
Councilmember Dr. Michael Kao moved to approve the contract and Councilmember David Fu seconded. The council approved the contract on a 4–1 vote, with Kwan voting no. The contract was described as not a CEQA project.
The show date is July 4; staff said the event will include custom designs that reference Arcadia history and upcoming regional events and that the vendor will coordinate logistics with city departments.
The council’s approval authorizes staff to finalize the professional services agreement and move forward with event planning subject to the city’s procurement and public‑safety coordination.
