The Goleta Fourth of July drone show is set to come back next year with promises to be bigger and better.
Last year, the City of Goleta put on the first drone show at Dos Pueblos High School’s Scott O’Leary Stadium, with the goal to make it an annual event if it was successful.
Goleta’s community relations manager, Kelly Hoover, announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that the drone show would return.
“We are expanding the event to accommodate the large turnout that we now know we’re going to get,” Hoover said. “We’re going to make everything bigger and better — a larger stage, a larger dance floor, more games and entertainment, definitely more food trucks.”
Additionally, Hoover said they are exploring an expanded drone show and more VIP seating, and they are considering starting the event at 5 p.m. rather than 6 p.m.
Councilwoman Luz Reyes Martin suggested that the event should start an hour later, at 7 p.m., because she thought there was too much time before the drone show.
This year, nearly 6,000 people attended the free event that included food trucks, a DJ, dancing and entertainment, face painting, games, and a 12-minute light show with 150 drones.
Mayor Paula Perotte said she thought it was a great first drone show and she was surprised by just how many people showed up.
“It really did say to me that the community was ready for a gathering, and a drone show was perfect for the Fourth of July,” Perotte said. “I’ve heard nothing but praise about it afterwards.”
The event cost $100,951, with $85,750 coming from 20 community sponsors.
The city hopes to raise $200,000 for next year’s show. Yardi already has donated $25,000 and offered a $25,000 matching grant. Ergomotion, Fuel Depot and Santa Barbara Airbus also have offered to donate to the event, according to Hoover.
The city originally hoped a community organization would take over running the drone show, but Hoover said the city will be leading the event once again. However, the city does plan to hire an event coordinator to oversee vendors, security, setup and tear-down.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Goleta put on an annual fireworks show at Girsh Park. The event never returned, much to the dismay of residents who missed having an evening Fourth of July celebration.
“It felt like such a gap when it went away from Girsh Park,” Councilman Stuart Kasdin said. “People came to expect the celebration there. It was part of our identity, and having it come back slightly different, it was just great.”
For next year’s event, council members suggested improved exit paths and clear shuttle schedules to take people from the stadium to designated parking areas.
