Missoula, Mont. — Missoula is getting a new community drone event on July 3 as the PaddleHeads prepare a public celebration at Silver Park tied to America’s 250th anniversary.

The first-time event, called “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights”, is set to include food trucks, family activities, local booths and a beer garden before the drone show after the PaddleHeads game.

Organizers said the event was designed to bring people together in Missoula and give residents a public place to celebrate.

“This is the first time we're doing this. We just wanted to make it accessible to folks. So making it free at a public park in conjunction with the city of Missoula, we reached out to them. This is fantastic, because this will help us to encourage community members to not go light fireworks off in their own neighborhood. Just come and let the professionals do it,” said Kimberly Koenig, PaddleHeads director of events.

Guests were encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for the festivities at Silver Park.

For people planning to use fireworks on their own during the holiday weekend, an investigator with the fire service said adult supervision and basic safety steps matter.

“If you are going to be lighting off fireworks, we got to make sure there's an adult supervision. Do not give any fireworks to kids. Older, older kids are able to do. Just make sure you have supervision. Adult supervision,” said Casey Scott, investigative firefighter, “what we do ask to is you have some water somewhere around fire extinguisher, possibly as well.”

Scott also reminded people that many Montana cities had banned personal fireworks within city limits.

He explained that anyone planning to use fireworks needed to be on private property outside the city. He also said fireworks were not allowed on public land or federal land.

Scott also suggested sticking with handheld fireworks like sparklers to help keep celebrations safer.