GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven will have a brand new attraction this year that aims to be the first production of its kind in the entire world.
The Michigan-based drone show company, Starlight Aerial Productions, is adding multiple drone shows to the Coast Guard Festival lineup in 2024.
"We are going to be doing things that have never been done before," says Chair of the Grand Finale for the Coast Guard Festival Brad Boyink. "So on Friday night, we're going to be doing a full drone show, the same company that just did the Lions game is coming here. And they're going to do a show that's choreographed with the musical fountain. And this has never been done anywhere in the world before."
The Detroit drone show was held at Michigan Central Station in honor of the first Lions home playoff game at Ford Field ever.
"Then, if that wasn't big enough, they're going to be back for Saturday night. And they're going to be a part of the grand finale. So we're going to have fireworks drones, the musical fountain, the letters on the hill, and the anchor all choreograph together as one gigantic show, all working in harmony, it is going to be absolutely stunning," Boyink added.
Starlight Aerial Productions pitched the idea of the drone shows being part of the Coast Guard Festival.
"Starlight Aerial Productions approached us about doing drones. And they're actually donating their part of the show this year, because of it being the 100th anniversary, and really wanting to make a big splash. So it wasn't until just a few months ago, that we even knew that we were going to have drones as part of this," Boyink explained.
The Coast Guard Festival is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The annual event will run from Friday, July 26 until Sunday, Aug. 4.
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