Patriotic glow lights up Utah for America 250

The Utah State Capitol is illuminated with red, white and blue

The patriotic glow of red, white and blue stretched across Salt Lake City on Friday night.

First, the Utah State Capitol, in partnership with the Capitol Preservation Board, illuminated the building with our nation’s color as part of the “Light to Unite” campaign to commemorate America’s 250h birthday.

If you missed the patriotic light display on Capitol Hill, you still have one more night, tonight, July 4, to view it.

Friday night, residents were also treated to Salt Lake City’s “America250 Drone Show” at Jordan Park.

At least 500 drones took flight in sync and lit up the skies with various formations that included the Olympic rings, the iconic image of Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima, the National Parks emblem and even Elvis.

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Deseret News photojournalist Rio Giancarlo captured the night’s celebrations.

The Capitol is illuminated by red, white and blue lights for America 250 as the sun sets in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Capitol is illuminated by red, white and blue lights for America 250 as the sun sets in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Capitol is illuminated by red, white and blue lights for America 250 as the sun sets in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People watch the Salt Lake City America 250 Drone Show at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 3, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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