Two eye catching Mt. Juliet Memorial Day tributes near Nashville: Drones, American flags
A drone light show and rows of hundreds of American flags will make for two visually striking Memorial Day tributes this holiday weekend in Mt. Juliet.
The drone show, which creates fireworks-like displays using hundreds of drones, is an emerging entertainment option for big events all around the country. Tom Needham of Needham’s Nursery is bringing the show to Mt. Juliet as a new way to pay tribute on the night of Memorial Day, May 27.
The new tech display will follow an old Mt. Juliet standby — the 12th annual Field of Honor featuring hundreds of American flags in rows near the middle of the city.
Here is a look.
Drone Show at Providence Marketplace
Detroit-based Firefly Drone Shows will begin launching 200 drones at 9 p.m., Monday, May 27.
Colors and formations are synchronized to music by a programmer who will customize the presentation around Memorial Day “with some personal touches Tom has requested,” Firefly Drone Shows co-founder and Partner Ryan Sigmon said.
“When we started Firefly in 2017, there was just a little bit of awareness,” Sigmon said. “The last couple of years it has really exploded.”
Needham secured a private property on the city’s south side just south of the Publix store at 665 South Mt. Juliet Road. The best viewing for the drone show is expected to be south of Interstate 40 along South Mt. Juliet Road, Needham said.
Needham is well-known for heading up Fourth of July fireworks displays in Mt. Juliet for more than 20 years. He has a permit for the drone show.
Memorial Day will also provide a “test run” to incorporate drones with fireworks into future Fourth of July displays, Needham said.
Lee Greenwood will be the Master of Ceremonies through a taped recording, Needham said.
A tribute is also planned for late Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels and longtime resident of Wilson County who was known for his support of the military that included the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project that raises money for nonprofits that assist veterans.
Field of Honor
The 12th annual Field of Honor is expected have 350 to 375 American flags this year set up in more than 30 rows of 10 on East Division and North Mt. Juliet Road in an open area by Mt. Juliet’s train station.
Flags will go up on Thursday, May 23, and will remain until about 4 p.m., Memorial Day.
The display is usually a big draw for picture-takers and it generates plenty of waves and honks from motorists passing by.
The vast majority of flags are sold in memory of a veteran. The Field of Honor is held by the American Legion Tyler Cates Post 281 and the Exchange Club of West Wilson County programs who split the proceeds to support the initiatives each organization is involved in.
Flag kits are available for $35 and can be purchased on site, Co-Chair Nancy Britt said. Some buy flags for their home and members of the American Legion help show proper folding.
A program is also scheduled at 5 p.m., Saturday that will include Mt. Juliet Christian Academy student Abigail Whicker giving a speech which won the American Legion state constitutional oratorical contest.
Well-known area artist Phil Ponder will also give a presentation on the history of the American flag.
Wilson County Memorial Day Service
Multiple veterans' groups will hold a Memorial Day service at 9 a.m., Monday, May 27 at Veterans Plaza at 304 E. Main Street in Lebanon, next to the Wilson County Courthouse.
Jerry Parker, a Vietnam veteran and Gideon spokesman will speak.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Memorial Day: Mt. Juliet has American flag display, drone show
