Arlington Heights to host first drone show July 2

Arlington Heights hasn’t hosted a professional fireworks show since the Arlington Park racetrack went out with a big bang after the last horse race in September 2021.

And though it may not have the sizzle and sound of past displays, bright lights will again be in the skies over the Northwest suburb come this July.

A dynamic, synchronized drone light show featuring animated sky displays is planned at 9:35 p.m. Thursday, July 2, near downtown Arlington Heights, village officials announced.

Labeled “Taking America’s 250th Celebration to the Heights,” the production involves 400 drones that will hover over the village hall, police and fire municipal campus and project a series of images choreographed to music for 12 minutes.

The best viewing will be across the train tracks and Northwest Highway at Recreation Park, which is hosting the 50th Frontier Days Festival July 1-5. From the main baseball field, that’s about 800 feet away.

Arlington Park regularly hosted an annual July 4 fireworks display, which was privately funded by then-owner Churchill Downs Inc. While residents have clamored for the return of fireworks, village officials said they worked to explore potential options and partnerships for future firework shows.

In April, village trustees set aside $45,000 for the potential drone show out of an unexpected $4.6 million budget surplus.

After researching drone shows in other towns and making final preparations, village leaders announced the first such light display was official this week.

“We’re very excited to be able to produce this show for the community and for those attending Rec Park and the festival,” said Assistant Village Manager Diana Mikula.