The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Riverside, Ohio, will host a large-scale drone light show on June 26 as part of a free community event marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Titled Lights Over Dayton: A Celebration of Flight, the event is being presented by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and the National Aviation Heritage Area. The museum said 500 drones will take to the sky above in a choreographed display accompanied by music and narration. The aerial presentation is expected to span an area roughly 600 feet wide and 400 feet tall. According to the museum, the program will trace the history of flight from its origins in Ohio through the technological developments that shaped modern aviation and aerospace. Visitors will be able to access museum galleries throughout the evening, with exhibits, the Air Force Museum Store, simulators, and theater attractions remaining open until 9 p.m. Community organizations are also expected to participate in activities inside the museum, while food trucks will be stationed on museum grounds ahead of the evening show.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame will extend its operating hours for the event and plans to offer drone-related and STEM activities through its Joe Clark Innovation Lab. The drone show is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m., weather permitting. Audio accompanying the presentation will be broadcast on local radio stations 95.3 The Eagle and 101.1 The Eagle and will feature narration by Dayton broadcaster James Brown. The museum recommends listening through a portable or vehicle radio, noting that mobile streaming services may introduce delays.
Admission and parking for the event will be free. Museum officials said a secondary entrance will open at 5 p.m. to help accommodate expected attendance, although visitors may arrive earlier in the day. If weather conditions force a postponement, organizers have designated June 27 as the event’s rain date. Updates regarding weather, parking, schedules, and event information will be posted through the museum’s website and social media channels. The event is supported by the Air Force Museum Foundation and the America 250-Ohio Commission and is part of the nationwide Freedom 250 commemoration. For more information and to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, click on this link: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
