The City of Goleta recently received a first-place award for its Fourth of July Drone Light Show Highlights video at the 2026 California Association of Public Information Officials STAR Awards. This recognition comes as the city actively plans its third annual Fourth of July Drone Light Show and seeks sponsors for the upcoming 2027 event, scheduled for Sunday, July 4th, at Dos Pueblos High School.

The STAR Awards program serves to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in government video programming across California and Nevada. Goleta’s video secured the top honor within the Community Event Coverage category, highlighting the city's successful efforts in documenting and communicating significant local gatherings. The award-winning video was produced by Paul Westmacott with Paradigm Pictures. Goleta Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover provided the narration for the acclaimed video, guiding viewers through the event’s highlights.

As the city observes this recognition, preparations are advancing for the 2027 Fourth of July Drone Light Show. This event marks the third iteration of the popular community celebration, which is set to take place at Dos Pueblos High School. The festivities for Sunday, July 4th, are designed to offer a broad range of activities and entertainment for the community. Plans include live music performances, various engaging activities, additional entertainment acts, and a selection of food trucks to provide culinary options for attendees. A dedicated VIP section is also planned to enhance the experience for participants.

To facilitate the production of this significant community event, the City of Goleta is actively seeking financial support from sponsors. These contributions are crucial for covering the various costs associated with producing the drone light show and the broader celebratory event. Businesses and organizations within the community, or those interested in supporting local public events, are encouraged to consider sponsoring the 2027 Fourth of July Drone Light Show. The city has set a target to secure the majority of its needed sponsors by January 31, 2027. Interested parties can obtain further information or express their intent to support the event by contacting the city directly. Inquiries regarding sponsorship opportunities should be directed via email to [email protected]. This early engagement is vital for the city to effectively plan and deliver another successful and memorable Fourth of July celebration for its residents.