-Editorial
The U.S.-Mexico border fence skyline in Calexico lit up in spectacular fashion on July 3rd, celebrating the 249th anniversary of the United States. Patriotic songs like ‘God Bless the USA’ by Lee Greenwood and ‘Coming to America’ by Neil Diamond made the night even more memorable to those present.
Gran Plaza Outlets brought the Imperial Valley its first-ever drone light show and Art Walk on the eve of Independence Day, drawing thousands of spectators. The event also had local rock bands and vendors that added fun to the event that many in Calexico missed.
“I love being here with my family and looking forward to see the drones with my grandkids,” said Calexico resident Humberto Felix who attended the event with his wife Teresa. They are both longtime residents of Calexico and said to be happy to see new events coming to Calexico since there aren’t enough entertainment events locally.
“Calexico needs more of this,” Felix added.
The art walk portion included work by Luis Hernandez and Sergio Ojeda along with other exhibitors who displayed their artwork, face painting, or were selling their arts and crafts or books.
All this was the prelude to the main show of the night that began at 9:40 p.m. as the lights went off at the shopping center and an army of drones ascended slowly into the skies.
The event, which featured 250 synchronized drones forming colorful animations above the mall, marked an emotional moment for many who saw a different kind of event in Calexico that promoted city pride.
“It took us about a year to put it all together,” said César Casillas, General Manager of Gran Plaza Outlets. “The company that did the show is called SkyLights out of Los Angeles, and they did a fantastic job.”
With animated visuals ranging from patriotic symbols to playful shapes, the 15-minute show wowed an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people gathered in the parking lot and surrounding areas.
“The community came out, and I think they enjoyed it,” Casillas said. “It was something different—this was the first drone show in the Imperial Valley and Calexico. We’re already thinking about how to make it bigger and better.”
Independence Day celebrations have been scarce in Imperial Valley since pandemic, but Gran Plaza Outlets and other events like in Calipatria, El Centro, another drone show in Imperial hosted by the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce are making an effort to bring this cherished tradition back full force.
