The City of Ocala will celebrate this year’s 4th of July with a patriotic 300-drone light show at Tuscawilla Park.
On Tuesday, February 6, Ocala City Council members unanimously approved a one-year agreement with Sky Elements, LLC, a company that specializes in drone shows. The contract includes the option for two separate one-year renewals.
Historically, the City of Ocala has not hosted a 4th of July event, and this year’s celebration will be the first drone show. It will include food trucks and live entertainment, culminating with a 15-minute drone show as the grand finale.
A total of 300 drones will serve as an alternative to fireworks, lighting up the sky with custom formations, animations, and synchronization. The drones can be programmed to create a variety of elaborate shapes, logos, or messages in the sky while reaching heights of up to 600 feet.
According to city staff, the Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is looking into the possibility of synchronizing the show to live performance music, though pre-recorded music may be used during the event.
In Sky Elements’ written proposal to the city, the company states that it is honored to partner with the City of Ocala to bring an “unparalleled level of innovation and magic” to the Independence Day celebration. They will allow the city to tailor the drone show to themes, such as horses, that represent the local community.
Sky Elements has successfully conducted 700-plus drone light shows, including at the Space Needle on New Year’s Eve and at the NBA Finals. The company was also used for the FIFA 26 Logo Reveal.
For more information, visit the Sky Elements Drone Shows website.