Drone show to light up sky for North Huntingdon 3-day 250th anniversary celebration

North Huntingdon’s 250th anniversary extravaganza, which caps a yearlong celebration, kicks off Thursday and continues through Saturday.

There will be carnival attractions, amusement rides, food, fireworks, live music and a drone-operated light show at the township’s public works property off Route 30.

The Jim Shorkey Auto Group Sestercentennial Summer Celebration will feature fireworks Thursday and Friday nights. The sky will be lit up by 250 drones on Saturday night on the grounds above Public Works Drive.

There is no admission charge and amusement rides are free at the event, which will run from 5 to 10 p.m. all three nights.

The drone show, operated by Firefly Drone Shows of Detroit, will form images in the sky. The township has collaborated with Firefly on the show. Daniel Miller, director of the township’s parks and recreation department, said he has seen a sneak preview of the show and said it’s very impressive. The lighted drones — each programmed with GPS coordinates to avoid collisions — is expected to last about 10 minutes.

North Huntingdon budgeted $150,000 for the anniversary celebration.

This week’s three-day event replaces the traditional end-of-summer celebration held at the township’s Oak Hollow Park.

North Huntingdon kicked off the anniversary events with a “birthday party” on April 6 to celebrate the founding of Huntingdon Township, which was later split to form North Huntingdon.

There will be a presentation of the 1973 time capsule that was opened April 6. Residents can donate items for a new time capsule to be buried later this year.

Rich Albert, township public works director, said his crews have been busy preparing the public works property for the celebration.

For more information, go to nht250.com or facebook.com/officialnhtpa.