Drones to light up North Huntingdon 250th celebration
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North Huntingdon plans to cap its 250th anniversary celebrations in September with a bang — plenty of fireworks at the township’s public works property and a light show featuring about 300 drones in the sky.
The Jim Shorkey Auto Group Sestercentennial Summer Celebration will go from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 28 to 30 on Public Works Drive off Route 30. It will feature fireworks on the evenings of Sept. 28 and 29, with a drone light show on the night of Sept. 30.
“We have done holiday laser light shows. We wanted to create a very unique and more memorable experience for this special 250th celebration,” said Daniel Miller, director of the township’s parks and recreation department.
The township is collaborating with the drone show operator, Firefly Drone Shows of Detroit, on the images that will be seen in the production, Miller said. The show is expected to last about 10 minutes. The drones are programmed with GPS coordinates to produce the light show, Miller said. A video of a firefly drone show can be seen on YouTube.
“Drone shows are the latest and greatest in-sky show entertainment. Each drone has a light and (it) comes together with other drones to make a picture at a particular time before fading to black, getting into a new formation or shape and turning back on again,” said Jonathan Beskid, North Huntingdon’s communications and technology coordinator.
The township commissioners last week retroactively approved an agreement with Firefly Drone Shows at a cost not to exceed $60,000. The cost will be covered by the sponsorship of Jim Shorkey Auto Group, said Harry Faulk, township manager.
North Huntingdon did budget $250,000 for the anniversary celebration, which replaces the end-of-summer celebration that typically is held at the township’s Oak Hollow Park.
When questioned by township commissioners about the cost, Faulk said Miller contacted three or four drone light show businesses for quotes. There were no similar businesses in the Pittsburgh area, Faulk said.
A spokesperson for Firefly Drone Shows was not available.
In addition to the fireworks and carnival, there will be live music and food. Admission and the carnival rides will be free.
The township also plans to have a presentation of the opened 1973 time capsule contents to community organizations.
The time capsule was opened for the April 6 celebration of the anniversary at the North Huntingdon Town House, but many of the items — newspapers, clothes, magazines and other items were damaged by water. Residents will have a chance for community members to donate items for a new time capsule to be buried later this year.
Take a shuttle
Because of the number of people expected to attend the celebration, visitors will be directed to park in one of the designated event shuttle lots located at Calvary Church at 8653 Pennsylvania Ave., the Westmoreland Transit Authority Park & Ride Lot along Route 30 near the intersection of Carpenter Lane and the Jim Shorkey Kia dealership on Route 30.
Shuttles will begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue to run at regular intervals until the end of each night’s event.
Visitors can bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. No pets or alcohol will be permitted.
The public works employees are working to prepare the site for the celebration, said Rich Albert, township public works director.
Information on the event and information related to the township’s 250th anniversary can be found at www.nht250.com/ or on Facebook@officialnhtpa.