Ocean City Plans Drone Shows To Mark America’s 250th Birthday

Ocean City will put on seven drone shows this summer. America turns 250, and the town wants to mark it. Called America 250: Lights Over Ocean City, hundreds of drones will fly over the beach and Boardwalk south of Sixth Street, painting animations across the sky. Shows run 15 minutes. They start after dark on Monday nights from July 6 through August 17, displaying light formations that honor the United States.

The Cape May County Board of Commissioners kicked in $25,000 to fund it. Boardwalk merchants stepped up with sponsorships, and the city added money, too. The county is matching grants for all towns hosting 250th anniversary events.

"We have been working with the city administration on this show for some time now," said Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck, according to OCNJ Daily. "We're grateful that we could pull it off, and we're excited for the shows this summer. There won't be a bad seat in the house."

Mayor Jay Gillian thanked Commissioner Bob Barr and the rest of the Board of Commissioners. He gave credit to the Boardwalk Merchants Association and city workers who organized everything.

"It will be a great way to celebrate this important milestone for America," Gillian said.

Three groups teamed up to make it happen: the city, the Boardwalk Merchants Association, and the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Without them working side by side, the shows wouldn't exist.

Seven straight weeks of performances will fill peak tourist season. Anyone can watch from the beach or boardwalk near where drones launch.