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Fairfax County’s annual Independence Day celebration will trade fireworks for hundreds of synchronized drones this summer, bringing patriotic images, music and motion to the sky above Lake Fairfax Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s first drone light show will commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and highlight the county’s place in American history.

The free celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from noon to 10 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. Inclement weather would push the event to Sunday, June 28.

Admission is free, as is entry for pedestrians and bicyclists. Parking costs $20 per vehicle with an advance pass purchased online or $25 at the gate.

Food trucks, family activities and live music will round out the festivities. Scheduled performers include Reflex, The Sonic Boom and Herndon’s School of Rock.

Although some attendees may miss traditional fireworks, the park authority says drones produce no debris and provide a more sensory-friendly experience for people and pets affected by loud, unpredictable noises.

Laura Grape, director of the park authority’s resource management and interpretation division, called the event a “one-of-a-kind celebration” honoring America’s semiquincentennial. The Fairfax County Park Foundation and the county’s 250th Commission are supporting the show.

“The 250th anniversary is a chance to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate who we are and inspire the next generation,” Fairfax 250 Chair Liz Maurer said.

The drone display has not been confirmed as a permanent replacement for fireworks. A park authority spokesperson said no decision has been made about bringing it back after this year.

Fairfax County’s celebration is part of a broader slate of local and state events leading to the July 4 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing. Initiatives have included a traveling history museum, a statewide historical-site passport program, a Revolutionary War-themed quarter and limited-time craft beverages.

More recent additions include Fairfax County Public Library’s community bingo program, launched May 1, and an initiative supporting year-end picnics at local public and private elementary schools.

McLean Day will also feature patriotic programming, including a preview of the McLean Community Players’ production of “1776.” The Town of Vienna plans to honor Col. Charles Broadwater on Sunday, May 17. Broadwater represented Fairfax County at conventions preceding the Revolutionary War and later became the county’s first sheriff.