Drones Over Farmingdale: Adventureland's First Light Show Spells Out USA

By Joe Mugnai IV | Jun 29

4 minute read

On Friday night, the sky over Route 110 in Farmingdale did something it had never done before. One hundred drones lifted off from nearby Farmingdale State College, climbed roughly 400 feet, and turned the dark above Adventureland into a moving canvas.

The crowd by the Ferris wheel went quiet, then loud, as the lights snapped into shape: the park's own logo, the Turbulence coaster, Alfie, the Ferris wheel itself, and then, in red, white, and blue, the formation that drew the biggest cheer of the night: USA 250.

It was Adventureland's first-ever drone show, a 10-minute performance produced by Sky Elements, the Texas company whose past clients include Major League Baseball, Disney, Marvel, and Coca-Cola. The show was sponsored by Catholic Health, which also lit up the midway with more than 500 glow sticks handed out to families as the sun went down.

A Modern Twist on a Long Island Classic

For a park that has been a Long Island summer tradition since 1962, a synchronized drone show is a notably modern turn. There were no fireworks, no smoke, and no loud booms that send little ones running. Instead, the display offered synchronized light, music, and a sky full of slow, deliberate animation that even the youngest kids could watch from start to finish.

Standing in the crowd with a family makes one thing clear: this experience was built for families to watch together, comfortably.

The USA 250 sequence carried a little extra weight this year, with the country's 250th birthday approaching. Among the crowd watching it light up the night was John Dettori, 94, a Navy radioman who served during the Korean War and was stationed in Guam. He stood and watched the sky spell out the country he served. Some moments do not need a caption.

Expanding the Summer Lineup

This was only night one. Adventureland is calling it the Summer Drone Show Series, with two more dates already on the calendar for July 17 and August 14. The show is included with regular park admission and season passes, allowing families to fold it into a full evening rather than buying a separate ticket.

And there is plenty to explore. Adventureland is in the middle of a multi-year redevelopment, and three new rides anchor the 2026 season:

The Ram: A new pirate-ship style ride in the park's new Legacy Corner, built with a lower height requirement so younger kids can climb aboard alongside adults.
The Carousel: A brand new, fully accessible, Venetian-style ride that keeps the classic horses but adds new animals, including pandas and tigers.
Wave Twister: A custom spinning thrill ride that features two gondolas that rise and rotate to mimic the roll of ocean waves.

The combination provides a clear snapshot of where Adventureland is heading: keeping the classic icons that families have ridden for generations, adding modern thrills, and lighting up the sky to close out the night.

If you missed opening night, you have two more chances this summer. Bring the kids, grab a spot near the Ferris wheel, and look up. The next show takes place on July 17.