Even without fireworks, a spectacle of lights appeared over Goleta on Friday night as the city held its first-ever drone show to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The drone show was held at Dos Pueblos High School’s Scott O’Leary Stadium, where attendees packed the stands and field to witness the first event of its kind in Goleta.

The show featured 150 drones synchronized to take different shapes, such as the Statue of Liberty, the American flag and a flying eagle. Other shapes represented Goleta’s heritage, such as a monarch butterfly.

Attendee Erick Lopez said he had never attended a drone show in person. He first became interested in drone shows when he saw one driving through Ventura County during the X Games. The event had arranged its light show over the stadium.

Since then, Lopez said he has watched drone shows on YouTube and was excited to hear that Goleta was hosting one for the first time.

“It was really cool. There were some cool scenes,” Lopez said. “There was a three-dimensional one I thought was the best part of the show.”

Although Lopez said he tempered his expectations when he heard that the show featured only 150 drones, he was still satisfied with the event.

He said he also liked that there was less smoke than from fireworks and less risk.

“One of the things I don’t like about fireworks is just how smoky it gets, and then you kind of lose visibility. With the drones, any seat is a good seat,” Lopez said.

Andy Simonson, who was attending with his family, said he enjoyed watching the drones but wished there was more to the show.

“I thought it was awesome. It might have been a little short. We wanted more drones and more volume, but it was pretty good,” Simonson said.

Before the show started, the city held a free celebration at the stadium for families. The event featured food trucks, games for kids, live music, dancing and more. One of the booths allowed attendees to play with giant bubble wands and was hosted by the Dos Pueblos wrestling team.

While Goleta stepped into the future Friday evening, the city’s past and older traditions were celebrated at the 51^st annual Old-Fashioned 4^th of July.

The event, hosted by the Goleta Valley Historical Society at Rancho La Patera and Stow House, featured throwback activities such as hayrides, classic cars, face painting and a petting zoo.

Visitors also were invited to relax on the lawn to listen to a live band, or feed goats and sheep handfuls of peanuts for a small donation.

Others toured the Stow House, the ancestral home of the Stow family, one of Goleta’s oldest and most prominent families. The home was originally built in 1872 and celebrated its 150^th birthday in 2022.

Emily Welsch, who was with her family, said they attended the event last year, and her two kids always enjoy the animals and food.

“My kids really love the tractor rides. They love to sit on the antique tractors, and they love to feed the goats and see the ducks and chickens,” Welsch said.

One of the other attractions was run by the Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association. The exhibit featured a variety of classic tools operated by hand cranks or gas. Children were invited to use the machines to make little red, white and blue ropes using a crank.

Donnie Tognazzini was at the event with his kids, Evan and Vivian. He said it’s the second year he has attended with his family.

“It’s just a great wholesome family event where you can check out all these cool machines. You got the rope making, you (get to feed) the chickens, and the duck if he’s hungry,” Tognazzini said. “The kids just love it. It’s like their own little Disneyland.”

Many other Fourth of July events were held Friday around Santa Barbara County. Click here for coverage of the Solvang Rotary Club’s Fourth of July Parade.

Check out the slideshow below for photos from Santa Barbara’s waterfront celebration and Montecito’s Village Fourth of July Parade.