2026 Pioneer Day Drone Show Digital Program
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Welcome to Salt Lake City’s Drone Show Digital Program
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Pioneer Day with a spectacular drone show at Liberty Park, July 24th at 10:00 p.m. Our innovative show features 300 drones flying at 700 feet creating stunning visuals in the night sky, each with a unique story and meaning.
This digital program is designed to enhance your experience by providing detailed descriptions of each image you’ll see during the show. As you explore, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical themes represented in our dazzling aerial display.
We hope you enjoy the show and find this program insightful. Thank you for being part of our celebration.
1. State of Utah with a Sego Lily Over SLC
Pioneer Day is an official Utah state holiday that marks the arrival of the pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
2. Tribal image #1 – The Southwest Design
Often seen in pottery, jewelry, and weaving—carries a deep cultural meaning and reflects a strong connection to nature, spirituality, and community. It honors the land and symbolizes balance and harmony. This design serves as a meaningful expression of identity and tradition for our relatives in the southwestern region.
3. Tribal image #2 – UICSL Kinship
UICSL Kinship highlights the meaningful connections that bring us closer together. It reflects how we care for and support one another, helps shape our identities, and brings the community together just like a family. Shared across generations, it keeps our traditions meaningful.
4. Covered Wagon Being Pulled by Oxen
July 24th celebrates the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. After travelling over 1,000 miles across America, the first pioneers arrived in Salt Lake in 1847.
5. Pie & Beer
Some Salt Lakers have lovingly referred to this holiday as “Pie and Beer Day,” celebrating it much like Utah’s July 4th.
6. Grid System
Utah’s first settlers were very thoughtful city planners. With organization in mind, the pioneers installed city roads in a grid layout. With numerical markings on each block, the grid-system allows for quick and easy navigation.
7. Spiral Jetty & Brine shrimp
Outline of the Great Salt Lake, which transitions to the spiral jetty.
The spiral jetty is a celebrated piece of land art created by Robert Smithson in 1970. The sculpture mimics the patterns of the salt crystals found within and around the lake.
The Great Salt Lake is the single largest source of Brine Shrimp eggs in the world. Brine Shrimps are harvested for agriculture, and populations in the lake feed over 10 million migratory birds each year.
8. Fries in Fry Sauce
Despite other claims, the invention of fry sauce comes from Utah in the 1940’s and early 50’s. Thanks to Utahn Don Carlos Edwards, the mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup became popular in chain restaurants such as Arctic Circle.
9. Green Jello
Green Jell-O salad is the official state snack of Utah. Dating back to our pioneer origins, this snack is a cultural icon in Utah.
10. Our Olympic logo
Utah is thrilled to be the official host of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Anchored in Salt Lake City, all venues will be within a one-hour drive of the city.
11. Skier
Utah’s ski resorts enjoy high elevations and cold temperatures, creating “the greatest snow on earth.” Skiers can enjoy all sorts of terrain in our canyons.
12. Snowboarder
Utah ski resorts are popular with skiers and snowboarders alike, with snow conditions being favorable for all types of riders.
13. Jazz Bear
The Jazz Bear is the official mascot of the Utah Jazz, a National Basketball Association (NBA) team. Jon Absey, the creator and wearer of the Jazz Bear passed away earlier this year, leaving a legacy of brave stunts and fun behind.
14. Tusky
The Utah Mammoth played their first season as the Mammoth during the 25-26 season. The Utah Mammoth is the state’s first National Hockey League team, their mascot, Tusky cheers the team and rallies fans.
15. World Cup
The USA, along with neighbors Mexico and Canada, recently hosted the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup competition. Venues all over the state hosted community watch parties. Congratulations to Spain on their final win.
16. Stick Figure Family Stickers
Utah has the highest number of children per family in the US. Our families guide our state priorities and inspire our bumper stickers.
17. Utahraptor
The Utahraptor is Utah’s official state dinosaur. As the ‘king of the raptors’ the Utah predator was the largest of any known raptors.
18. Trolley Square Water Tower
The Trolley Square water tank is 97 feet tall and used to hold 50,000 liters of water for the old trolley barns. The landmark is clearly visible today, and you can schedule a tour to the top to see views of the city.
19. Hogle Zoo Lion Head Drinking Fountains
The iconic Leo the Lion drinking fountain has been a fixture in Utah’s Hogle Zoo for over 60 years. Installed in the 1950’s generations of children have enjoyed a sip from the giant fountain.
20. Snelgrove Ice Cream Sign
The 40-foot tall Snelgrove Ice Cream sign existed at the location of the former HQ of the Snelgrove Ice Cream Company on 2100 S. While the lot is under construction, the historically protected ice cream cones remain standing.
21. SLC Wizard
A local legend amongst Salt lakers, the SLC Wizard travels throughout the city, selling jewelry and trinkets to happy customers. The beloved local icon is regularly seen and celebrated, with sightings being reported by social media pages regularly.
22. Claw-Like Aquarium Structure
“The Claw” structure at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is a 16-story steel structure built originally for the band U2’s performance.
23. State Street Eagle Monument
The Eagle Gate originally served as an entrance marker to the home and property of Brigham Young. Built in 1859, the gate has since been renovated but remains in the same location.
24. RIP to By the Bucket
By The Bucket, a restaurant wherein customers could order spaghetti and pasta in bulk (bucket-sized) quantities. Short lived, the restaurant had an outsized impact on local pop culture before closing in 2024.
25. Tower Theater
SLC’s Tower Theater, located in the 9th and 9th district, is a historical movie theater originally built in 1921. Now owned by the Salt Lake Film Society, the Tower Theater is undergoing major renovations before future reopening.
26. Walker Center
Originally constructed in 1912, the Walker Center skyscraper was a 16-story building that was once the tallest building between Chicago and San Francisco. Now, the Walker Center letters remain a cultural landmark in the heart of downtown.
27. City and County Building
The Salt Lake City & County Building is one of the City’s most beloved landmarks. Completed in 1894, the building is Utah’s finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. The building now exists as an important civil space for political activities.
28. SLC is for Lovers Neon Sign
The vibrant pink “Salt Lake City is for lovers” sign is located within the Gateway outdoor mall in downtown Salt Lake City. The sign is a popular destination for tourists and local alike to snap a pic.
29. Utah State Flag
Adopted in 2024, Utah’s Beehive Flag is symbolic of Utah’s mountains, skies, lakes, and native nations. The beehive represents our state’s industry and unity as one.
30. Happy Pioneer Day
As a Utah state holiday, Pioneer Day invites us to celebrate our states heritage and our exciting future. Happy Pioneer Day.
Thank you for joining us at the Salt Lake City Drone Show. We hope this program has enriched your experience. We’re always looking to improve and would love to hear your ideas for next year’s show. Please let us know what images you would like to see.
