Riverfront fireworks on the Fourth of July are quintessential to summer in our city. Since 1981, Celebrate Saint Louis (formerly Fair Saint Louis) has marked Independence Day with live music, fireworks, and other entertainment. This year’s festivities will feature headline performers Russell Dickerson and Gavin DeGraw alongside a new, decidedly 21st-century element: a drone show.
“Celebrate Saint Louis has always been a hometown tradition—and this year, we’re proud to bring exciting new experiences to the riverfront,” said Tim Meers, chair of Celebrate Saint Louis in a release announcing this year’s programming. “We’re especially looking forward to honoring St. Louis native and filmmaker James Gunn with a Superman-themed drone show just ahead of the launch of his new Superman movie.”
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Celebrate Saint Louis has partnered with Fantasy Drone Shows to bring this special addition to the holiday weekend. Titled LOOK UP!, the show celebrates the long-awaited release of DC Studios’ Superman, directed by Gunn. The show is scheduled for the night of July 4, prior to the traditional fireworks, and exactly a week ahead of the movie’s nationwide theatrical release on July 11. Four hundred drones will take to the sky during the spectacle and arrange themselves into 11 different images related to the Man of Steel.
Beyond the fireworks and entertainment, Celebrate Saint Louis also marks the holiday by honoring those who have served our country. This year, the weekend will feature the Hands-On with Heroes exhibit, where people of all ages can connect with veterans and learn about the ways they give back to the country. A Veteran Awards Ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, and Friday night will include a Salute to the Troops at 6:25 p.m., hosted by Irreverent Warriors.
A full lineup of Celebrate Saint Louis events is available at celebratesaintlouis.org.
