Submitted photo This is a computer simulation provided by Donovan McWilson of Titan Tech Collaborative of the imagery that will be featured in the Youngstown Juneteenth Drone Show.

Drones will light up the sky above the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre as part of the city’s Juneteenth festivities.

Donovan McWilson, owner of Titan Tech Collaborative, is creating a drone show specifically for the Juneteenth holiday and for his hometown.

“It’s going to be able to take us through some of our history of Juneteenth, show where it all started — 1865 Galveston, Texas — and be able to show some symbolism from Africa as well,” McWilson said. “It’s OK to look back on the past to be able to drive forward to the future. And then also honoring some of some of the prolific figures that we’ve had out of Youngtown, like our first black mayor and a few others that I want to give a nice little shout out to.”

McWilson, 30, grew up on the city’s South Side and always has been fascinated by technology.

“My mom always jokes that my first word was ‘computer,'” he said.

McWilson took apart and rebuilt his first computer at age 8, and technical expertise is one of the many skills required in putting together a drone show.

“The design process is pretty rigorous,” he said. “It comes down to going through FAA (Federal Aviation Association) regulations, identifying airspace, making sure that our perimeter is safe, because although the show might be amazing, I want to make sure that I’m keeping our citizens safe. I have a special love for us as well, so it’s a matter of being as meticulous as possible.

“It’s going through and identifying some of the imagery (needed) and then going through 150 independent drone paths to be able to make those images happen and shuffle those things around. There’s a lot of customization that comes into it.”

In addition to coordinating the drones and their lights, their movements in the 10-to-12-minute show will be synced to music, ranging from “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to Beyonce, McWilson said, “Because everybody loves a little bit of Beyonce.”

Those watching the show at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre will hear the soundtrack through its speaker system. A QR code will be available that people can scan to listen on their phones.

Those at the amphitheater and Wean Park will have the best view, but it will be visible in the sky throughout much of the city.

The Market Street Bridge will be closed from 9 to 10 p.m. Friday, and the bridge will be used as the launch site for the drones.

These types of shows have become increasingly popular in recent years as the technology has improved, and McWilson cited several benefits.

“You don’t have to worry about loud pops and things,” he said. “You can tailor it down to being dog-friendly and kid-friendly, making it an inclusive experience as opposed to having to have a fallout zone (for the spent fireworks). And there’s less pollution. There’s no trash at all.”

The drone show is part of the Youngstown Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Wean Park, located between the amphitheater and the Covelli Centre. It will include a parade at noon Friday on Commerce and Phelps streets, a car & bike show, the Youngstown Youth Talent Showcase and Juneteenth Rhythm Fest on Saturday and a Soul Food Cook Off Competition on Sunday. For more information, go to youngstownjuneteenth.com.

If you go …

WHAT: Youngstown Juneteenth Drone Show

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St.

HOW MUCH: Free.