The second annual Tigard Fourth of July drone show will experience a change of venue this year as well as a few more of the aerial aircraft added to the display.

Instead of Tigard High School athletic fields, this summer’s show will be held inside Cook Park, with the best viewing being in athletic fields 5 and 6.

City officials say the location change is needed to not only preserve the athletic fields at Tigard High School but also to provide entertainment options for families before the show begins at 10 p.m. July 4.

Also, the change will result in more access to amenities such as an inclusive playground, basketball and volleyball courts and restrooms.

New this year too will be more drones.

“We added 50 drones for a total of 250 drones to stay within the event budget,” said Emily Tritsch, interim city manager. “We are also allocating funds to activities and entertainment during the event and traffic control before and after.”

Last year’s show attracted an estimated 10,000 residents to Tigard High’s athletic fields to view a just-shy-of-15-minutes program that featured 200 drones in a performance by the vendor Sky Elements.

In March, the Tigard City Council discussed adding as many as 100 more drones to the show to increase the aircraft’s visibility in area neighborhoods. However, that added number would have increased the pricetag for the event by about $20,000.

Last year’s show cost $80,000, funded by taxes paid from those who stay in Tigard hotels.

A follow-up survey conducted by the city last year showed that of the 700 people who responded, 63% rated the drone show excellent or good.

However, there were some complaints about traffic, an issue that is expected to be addressed this Fourth by adding more traffic control to several intersections that lead in and out of the event.

Meanwhile, the city is continuing to seek a sponsor for the drone show in an effort to help defray costs of the event.