Four hundred synchronized drones transformed the night sky into a patriotic mosaic Friday night above the ballfields at the Putnam County Recreation Center.
The 15-minute light show, presented by Florida-based LunaLite Drone Show Technologies, featured animated images and patterns moving in sync high above the athletic complex, showcasing a growing alternative to traditional fireworks displays.
For many in attendance — including County Commissioner Richard Garrett, who initially proposed and helped arrange the $39,000 event — it was their first time seeing a drone show in person.
“I think it was something different, something special,” Garrett said shortly after the performance. “The technology’s unbelievable. I don’t know how they coordinate and move and come back again so quickly.”
Based in South Florida with offices in Miami and Pompano Beach, LunaLite was founded nearly four years ago by Adrian Allen and Arturo Lorde, who completed the programming and served as drone pilots for the Eatonton performance.
Although LunaLite has previously performed in Atlanta, Lorde said Friday’s event marked only the company’s second appearance in Georgia. He said he was excited to introduce the technology to a new audience.
Lorde has been flying drones since consumer models first became widely available more than a decade ago. He originally used the technology for aerial wedding photography before transitioning into drone light shows.
Creating a custom performance, however, involves much more than simply sending drones into the air.
Each show is individually designed and programmed, often incorporating music and narration, as demonstrated during Friday’s event.
“Some people think it’s AI-controlled, but it’s not AI. It’s actually a lot of programming, and then understanding how that programming works for you to be able to facilitate a drone light show,” Lorde said. “Normally, a show like this would take about a good month to create. But this one came in kind of last minute, so we had to work overtime to get it ready.”
Lorde estimated the Eatonton show was completed with only about two weeks of preparation. Once a performance is programmed, the company conducts a test flight at a dedicated site in Pompano Beach, Florida, before each event.
A full rehearsal is not always required, he said, explaining that technicians perform boundary tests using a small number of drones to confirm positioning and programming.
“As long as those are correct, they will all be correct,” Lorde said of the 400 drones used during Friday’s performance.
A typical setup requires six or seven crew members, with precision being especially important when positioning the drones before launch. The process usually takes at least 45 minutes, but with only Lorde and one assistant handling the Eatonton setup, the preparation took longer.
“It’s really just about measuring them out and making sure your measurements are right. So, kids, go to school and understand your measurements,” Lorde said with a laugh.
Before the drone show, several speakers and performers helped set the tone for the patriotic celebration.
Garrett introduced the evening’s program, beginning with Rev. Sidney Jackson, who delivered the invocation. Local musician Anenaca Simpson then performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” before Eatonton Mayor John Reid welcomed the crowd.
Chip Bell of the Georgia Writers Museum shared a story about Major General Israel Putnam, the namesake of Putnam County. Putnam County High School student McKayla Askew followed with a performance of “America the Beautiful,” before Putnam County School Board Chairman Dr. Steve Weiner gave a brief presentation.
Jerrod Morse and Janet Batchelor of Eatonton’s VFW Post 6686 also addressed the crowd, followed by another performance from PCHS student Kelsey Ortega, who sang “God Bless America.”
The evening concluded with remarks from Rev. Simone Jones of Texas AME Church, a performance of the national anthem by Juanita Crawford, and a closing prayer from Pastor Fred Lowe of Zion Covenant Church and Rev. Dr. Craig Williamson of First Baptist Church of Eatonton.
Garrett also returned to the stage to help fill time as Lorde handled a last-minute computer reboot before the drone launch.
For Garrett, the success of the evening was measured by more than the technology in the sky.
“So many people came out,” he said. “I don’t know how many, we had about a thousand or more. It was one of the biggest gatherings in Putnam County that I can remember, and I think there was something for everyone on the program. I think we struck the right note.”