Instead of Fireworks, Oregon Cities Will Use Drones and Lasers

This Fourth of July might be different for Oregon revelers, as some cities retire colorful fireworks displays in favor of live music, laser shows and swarms of illuminated drones.

Tigard, Lake Oswego, Oregon City and Wilsonville are all opting for these more technologically advanced alternatives. Here’s where you can find them.

Tigard Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration

The Tigard High School football field at 9000 SW Durham Road will be packed with festivities Thursday, including games, food vendors and live music from the Tualatin Valley Community Band. The gates open at 6 p.m. with free admission.

Once the sun sets, 200 drones will take to the sky in the place of a fireworks display. The aerial light show, put on by Texas-based company Sky Elements Drone Shows, will last around 30 minutes. It’s a first for the city.

“With this change we are able to address some of the concerns that we’ve heard about a traditional fireworks show and provide a celebration that can include everyone,” Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb said in a statement.

Officials recommended bringing blankets, lawn chairs and sunscreen — but you can leave the earplugs at home.

2024 Independence Day Illumination

Lake Oswego will host a free live concert and laser show at Foothills Park at 199 Foothills Road starting at 8 p.m., featuring R&B group Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire.

The event will also have food vendors including Romero’s Kitchen, Yoonique Pho & Grill and Donut Days, among others.

After the concert from Kalimba — an 11-member ensemble founded in 2011 that primarily plays music from legendary band Earth Wind & Fire — the city will put on a laser show around 10:15 p.m., sending bright beams of light across the night sky.

Concerts in the Park

Oregon City will kick off its “concerts in the park” series with a free performance from the CJ Mickens Band, followed up later in the night by its first Fourth of July laser show.

The two hour concert will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at 1726 Washington Street. The light show will start once the sun sets. Several food carts will also be onsite for hungry event-goers.

Fourth of July Laser Light Show

Wilsonville will host a concert and light show of its own at Town Center Park at 29600 SW Park Place Thursday night.

The third annual laser display features Portland-grown folk guitarist Jacob Westfall and his band starting at 8 p.m. The light show will start around 9:45 p.m. Like the other events, there will be free entry.



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