(PHOTO COURTESY BRIGHTLIGHT DRONE SHOWS)

GUNNISON, Colo. – Friday Night Lights has a new take this July.

Instead of Texas high school football, the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration is taking it in a different direction during its inaugural after-party on Friday, July 10, following the second performance of the PRCA rodeo.

As soon as the last bull bucks and clears pen, arena lights will be turned off, and experts from Denver-based Brightlight Drone Shows will illuminate the sky in ways never seen before in the Gunnison Valley.

“I was contacted by someone on the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission about having a drone show with Cattlemen’s Days, and I thought it would be a great deal for Gunnison,” said Brad Tutor, the past president of Cattlemen’s Days, adding that the commission, Visit Denver and the Colorado Tourism Office are also involved in the project

The drone shows are part of statewide celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood. They’ll also be part of the community’s most prized tradition, now 126 years in the making.

“This is free to us and to the community, so we want anyone and everyone to come see the drone show and stay for the dance afterward,” Tutor said. “We will open the gates to anyone once barrel racing starts, and at that point, there will be no admission to enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Barrel racing is the second-to-last event. The rodeo begins at 7 p.m., so free admission should begin about 8:30 p.m. that Friday night only. Possibly the best part of the night will be the Dance in the Dirt, a fun evening of entertainment that will follow the drone show.

“This is really going to cap off a great night, and anyone who is in Gunnison that Friday night can come enjoy the dance,” said Kevin Coblentz, the rodeo’s general manager. “I think Gunnison needs to have more events like this, and there’s probably no place better to host it than the fairgrounds.

The rodeo’s music director, Randy Mayer, will keep the tunes ramped up into the night.

“ ‘Stretch’ does an amazing job at our rodeo, but he has a background as a DJ, so doing stuff like this is nothing new,” Coblentz said of Mayer, who has worked PRCA championship events and has been nominated for the association’s Music Director of the Year. “His music library is pretty deep, so I know he’s got plenty of good music for everyone that wants to have fun.

“We’re going to make it family friendly, but we’re going to have a good time. We’ll have our beer stands open and will have them stocked up. We’ll have the food vendors ready to serve everyone there, and we’ll have ice cream and treats for the kids. This is just what we need in Gunnison.”