Mark your calendars — Poulsbo is capping off summer with something the town has never seen before: a 200-drone light show over Liberty Bay.
On Tuesday, August 11, the City of Poulsbo is teaming up with the Poulsbo Rotary Club and Peninsula School District’s Performance Drone Team to send 200 synchronized drones into the night sky above the bay, creating a roughly 12-15 minute aerial performance visible from Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park and much of the surrounding waterfront.
A Fitting Finale
The drone show caps off the final night of Summer Nights at the Bay, Poulsbo Parks & Recreation’s free community concert series, which wraps up its most-attended season yet with a performance by Kalimba – The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire from 6-8 PM. Families are encouraged to enjoy the music, grab a bite downtown, and stick around afterward for the drone show around 9 PM.
Why a Drone Show?
With Poulsbo voters recently approving a permanent ban on consumer fireworks within city limits, organizers were looking for a new way to bring the community together to celebrate — one that sidesteps the fire risk, noise, and pollution concerns that come with traditional fireworks, along with the very real impact they have on veterans, pets, and wildlife. A synchronized drone show fit the bill.
The show was originally planned around the Fourth of July, but staffing and coordination with the U.S. Navy pushed the date to this later summer slot instead.
Local Students Behind the Show
One of the coolest parts of this event: the performance was designed and produced by student interns from Peninsula School District’s Performance Drone Team. They’ve spent months on flight planning, 3D modeling, and the technical logistics of running a show of this scale — hands-on experience that doubles as a launchpad into aerospace, coding, and design careers.
Plan Your Evening
- Best viewing spot: Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, facing southeast
- Concert: 6-8 PM | Drone show: ~9 PM
- Heads up: The Waterfront Boardwalk closes to the public from 2-10 PM for setup, and a temporary restricted zone (including a no-boat zone on the bay) goes into effect from 8:30-10 PM for safety. Expect road closures/detours around Front Street near Sunset, King Olaf Parking Lot, and Jensen — plan your parking accordingly.
Whether you’re a longtime Summer Nights regular or coming out just for the drones, it’s shaping up to be a memorable night on the water. See you there!
Note: Images and clips included in this article are for reference only — they don’t depict the actual Poulsbo presentation, but are meant to give you an idea of what to expect.
