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More than 5,000 people gathered at the Dos Pueblos High School Football Stadium (7266 Alameda Avenue) last Friday night, July 4, 2025, to attend the City of Goleta’s first July 4th Drone Light Show event. Check out photos of the event here and watch a recording of the show on YouTube here. Stay tuned for a video recap.
Community Relations Manager, Kelly Hoover said, “The vibe was outstanding! Everyone had smiles on their faces and seemed especially grateful after a five-year absence to spend this patriotic evening together in Goleta and experience something entirely different. You could feel the magic in the air and an understanding that history was being made!”
Even before the gates opened at 6:00 p.m., enthusiastic community members dressed in red, white and blue lined up outside. The early arrivers were eager to find their seats in the bleacher section or a spot on the turf and track area. Sponsors sat in the VIP section. Volunteer greeters and City staff working the event handed out miniature American Flags as people walked in to help get them in the patriotic spirit.
Once inside, attendees settled in and made themselves at home at Scott O’Leary Stadium which had free activities for the kids including carnival games, face painting, bubbles, an obstacle course, cornhole, games and a photo booth. Some party-goers even brought their own activities, such as a football to throw around or card games to play on their blanket.
Award-winning DJ Darla Bea kept the energy and dance floor full for the duration of the event. For a portion of the evening, she was accompanied by saxophonist Gerry Smith Jr. and legendary local line dance instructor Tin. The three entertainers kept the crowd of all ages and skill levels engaged, some who came prepared with boots on to show off their moves.
As the night moved on, more people continued to arrive. The Food Trucks outside the stadium were bustling with customers. The free Santa Barbara Airbus shuttles transported about 400 people to and from the event from Costco at the Camino Real Marketplace.
As the sun set, the excitement ramped up for the Drone Show to begin at nightfall. Mayor Paula Perotte, along with the rest of the City Council by her side, welcomed the crowd followed by a rally cry from Congressman Salud Carbajal who shouted out a big “How are you doing Goleta?”
2025 Santa Barbara Teen Star Naomi Jane, whose Extended Play List has more than five million views on Spotify, sang one of her hit songs “TACOBELL” followed by a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
With time to spare before the Drone Show started at 9:10 p.m., DJ Darla Bea passed out some glow sticks and encouraged the crowd to turn on their cell phone flashlights and sing along to the “Pink Pony Club”, a popular karaoke song by Chappell Roan. A highlight of the night was a young girl and her sister who spontaneously came up to the stage and said enthusiastically into the microphone, “Are you ready for the Drone Show?”
When the 12-minute show began, cheering filled the stadium and the sky was illuminated with 150 drones that created both patriotic, Goleta-related and other stunning images choregraphed to music. For many in the audience it was their first time experiencing a drone show but not their last.
Based on how well received the show and successful the event was, the City will discuss the possibility of partnering with the community to put on and build upon the event again next year.
The event was possible this year because of the GENEROUS community partners who collectively donated more than $85,000 for the Drone Light Show. Here they are!
Sponsors: Yardi Systems, Ergomotion, Inc., Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara Airbus, Santa Barbara Unified School District / Dos Pueblos High School, Alamar Dental Implant Center, Deckers Brands, Goleta Valley Historical Society, MarBorg Industries, Teledyne FLIR, UCSB Athletics, Community West Bank, Fuel Depot and Point Market, The Cederlof Family, Best Best & Krieger, LLP, Olivia Sorgman Event Planner, Above All Aviation, Cottage Health, Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, Quality Roofing, Ramsey Asphalt, True North Wealth Management, Camino Real Marketplace, Friday Night Lights, The Water Store Goleta, and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
Although numbers haven’t been finalized, the City invested approximately $10,000 in addition to staff time to put on the event.
While there are many people to thank, we want to express our appreciation to DPHS for hosting us. Also, a special shout out the Goleta City Council for its support, City staff, event planner Olivia Sorgman, DPHS Lead Custodian Jonathan Negorreta, Alfredo Peralta of Stratus Streaming, the 50 community volunteers and Dos Pueblos High School students for help setting up and breaking down the event. Thanks also to the Goleta Police Department, American Medical Response and SecurePro for making sure everyone was safe.
A final thanks to DroneShow.com for creating an experience we will never forget.
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