A display of aerial artistry unfolded above Ocean Beach Elementary School on Tuesday, July 4, as a fleet of 300 drones took flight at 9:05 p.m. The inaugural Ocean Beach Fourth of July Drone Light Show, with an accompanying soundtrack, captivated onlookers for 12 minutes with its patriotic designs and iconic formations, paying homage to the community.

Among the notable shapes were a VW Bus, the James Gang’s OB Bird, a 25-story whale, a surfer catching a wave, a wild parrot, and a colossal 200-foot-tall dog catching a Frisbee.

The event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Luminosity, a local organization composed entirely of volunteers. Over the past year, these individuals poured countless hours into planning and executing the show.

Mike James, the founder of Luminosity and the show’s designer, expressed his elation at the success achieved in the first year. “Skyworx, our exceptional drone operator, surpassed my expectations despite altitude and space limitations,” he said, “the Skyworx artist’s interpretations of my ideas were way beyond what I initially imagined.”

Originally intended to take off from Dog Beach, the show faced an unexpected setback in May when the committee received news of their denied request from governmental agencies. Environmental concerns relating to nearby sensitive habitats prompted a swift relocation strategy. After careful evaluation, Ocean Beach Elementary School and Dusty Rhodes Park emerged as the only viable options that adhered to logistical constraints, including restrictions on flying over populated areas or bodies of water.

The final selection of the school was primarily driven by the desire to maximize viewership and accessibility. “With just a little over a month until the Fourth of July, the committee had to adapt swiftly, working closely with the City of San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District. We encountered several hurdles along the way, with the school district initially rejecting the proposal for any drone flights over their site,” James said.

James expressed his gratitude for the invaluable assistance provided by Kohta Zaiser from Mayor Gloria’s office and the coordination efforts of Luminosity co-chair Tricia Gaut.

“Their unwavering support played a pivotal role in ensuring the show could go on,” James said. However, he also divulged that there were moments throughout the past year when the event nearly faced cancellation. Few are aware that the Federal Aviation Administration initially rejected Luminosity’s application a mere two and a half weeks before Independence Day. Thanks to a prompt appeal by Skyworx and the intervention of Congressperson Scott Peters’ staff, the FAA approved on June 23, to the relief of the committee.

Skyworx, the team responsible for orchestrating the drone maneuvers, was confronted with limited airspace and the unusual challenge to have the show viewable from all angles. “While we received some criticism from spectators who couldn’t fully appreciate every design, Skyworx accomplished something truly extraordinary,” James said. “Considering it was our inaugural year, what the Luminosity committee and Skyworx achieved bodes well for the future.”

The positive response from the community, evident through cheers during the show and subsequent posts on social media, delighted the organizers. However, the Luminosity committee remains committed to continual improvement and is reviewing all feedback to make the 2024 event even more remarkable.

“Now, we rely on generous donations to ensure next year’s show becomes a reality,” James said.

To support Luminosity’s endeavors, the organization relies entirely on community donations and sponsorships. Those interested in contributing can visit obluminosity.com/donations/, where donations are facilitated through a partnership with Peninsula Alliance, a recognized 501(c) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit obluminosity.com.

Photos by Dan Dennison