CSU Hosts Drone Show celebrating historic milestones
A 500-drone light show will illuminate the sky above Colorado State University as part of a free upcoming celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th year of statehood.
(Photo courtesy of Colorado State University.)
CSU is hosting a special event as part of the Lagoon Concert Series beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 24. It will feature a 14-minute drone show, live music from Las Vegas-based Patrick & the LVB and a Public Service Appreciation Night. Attendees can enjoy family-friendly activities, explore emergency vehicles and celebrate local first responders before the drone show begins at 9 p.m.
The drone show, which will start after the Lagoon concert, is part of the America 250–Colorado 150 Commission’s “Stories in the Sky” initiative, a statewide series of nearly 150 community drone shows. The program launched in September 2025 and will continue through December, bringing aerial storytelling and anniversary celebrations to communities across Colorado.
Tom Dolan, owner of Brightflight Drone Shows, has been producing drone shows across Colorado as part of the “Stories in the Sky” initiative. Dolan explained attendees can expect to see aerial animations celebrating Colorado’s history, culture and landmarks.
While Dolan didn’t reveal full details, he said imagery such as the Royal Gorge Bridge and Red Rocks Amphitheatre will appear as part of the storytelling. The show will conclude with animations recognizing the Fort Collins community, he added.
Dolan is no stranger to CSU, having produced several drone shows on campus in recent years. Among them was the 400-drone display featured during 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend. The Lagoon Concert Series performance will expand the spectacle by 100 more drones.
“People just love the animations and the storytelling,” Dolan said. “It truly is special to go on campus and be able to put up these really, really big productions and have so much support and reaction to the show.”
Live music, entertainment and food trucks
Prior to the drone show, Patrick & the LVB (Las Vegas Band) will perform. A staple of the Las Vegas entertainment scene, the pop-rock band holds a residency at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and has shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Train and OneRepublic.
Led by Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter Patrick Sieben, the band has performed at CSU in the past, featuring a blend of modern pop hits, classic rock anthems and original songs. The band performed at CSU in 2024 during a concert series before football games.
Sieben, who attended college in Colorado and recorded the band’s first record in Fort Collins, said the group is excited to perform at CSU and celebrate the anniversaries.
“It’s an honor to be part of such a big celebration — something that is clearly bigger than all of us,” Sieben said. “We’re so fortunate to be a part of an amazing country. And you know we’re not from Colorado anymore, but living there for four years, I appreciated the community and everything that Colorado has to offer, and I loved it so much. It’s an honor to be part of a huge celebration and kick off the next 250 and 150.”
Sieben explained the band is preparing a high-energy set list designed to foster good times and good feelings.
“People should expect rock and roll that makes you want to get up and party,” he said. “Be ready for some Guns N’ Roses, some Killers and Fall Out Boy, some Patrick and the LVB originals, and some awesome bands that we’ve toured with. We’ll play some of their songs, like OneRepublic and Matchbox 20. We’ll bring all the energy that we’ve learned from the bands that we’ve idolized for years, that we’ve gotten the opportunity to tour with and perform with. We’re bringing the energy.”
Prior to the headliner, Brendan Nichols, an acoustic folk musician, will serve as the opening act. Nichols was named a 2026 Sonic Spotlight finalist. Presented by the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 105.5 The Colorado Sound and the Bohemian Foundation, Sonic Spotlight showcases emerging artists with ties to Northern Colorado.
In addition to the music and drone light show, attendees can explore emergency vehicles, including a fire truck, SWAT BearCat, police motorcycle, squad car and ambulance, all part of Public Service Appreciation Night. There also will be food trucks: Fork Yeah, Flavor of Tabasco, The Goodness Truck, Sunny Sky Pies and Glacier Ice Cream. CSU’s Alumni Center also will host an Alumni Night Out.
