The crowd massed at the base of the Rotunda had to crane their necks a little more than usual at this year’s “Lighting of the Lawn” to take in the spectacular drone show that illuminated the frigid night sky – the first display of its kind at the University of Virginia.
One hundred drones lifted off from the Rotunda’s north plaza just after 9:20 p.m. as students and community members gathered on the Lawn for the 24th edition of the student-run event, which began after the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
[♪ “Holiday Dream” plays ♪]
During the synchronized show, the drones formed one shape after another as music played. The drones first formed the numbers 1, 15 and 41, the jersey numbers of Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D’Sean Perry, the football players who were shot to death outside Culbreth Garage Nov. 13, 2022.
The V-sabres logo, the words “Arts on the Hill,” a spinning white snowflake, swinging multicolored holiday lights and “2024” were also displayed against the dark night sky.
The drone show, funded by President Jim Ryan’s Arts on the Hill program, was choregraphed by Sky Elements, which placed third in the finale of “America’s Got Talent.” It followed a student-produced light show with the Rotunda as its screen.
Kenyon Bonner, UVA’s chief student affairs officer, held a reception for fourth-year students in his home, Pavilion VI. He said his message to the Class of 2025 would be, “Have fun tonight. Be grateful for a great semester and good luck on finals.” (Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
The joyous event got underway at 6 p.m. with food trucks, complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, apple cider and a photo booth on South Lawn.
Two Pair of Pants
Vincent and Alice Du, 8 and 6, waited patiently for the show to start with their mother, Wan Wan, and father Yuxiang Du. Despite the 28-degree temperature, the siblings insisted they were not cold. “How many pairs of pants do you have?” Yuxiang asked his son.
Yuxiang Du, children Vincent and Alice, and mother Wan Wan pose for a picture before the start of the show. The family moved to Charlottesville last fall so Du could take a job as an assistant professor of commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce. (Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
“Two,” Vincent responded. “I also have two pairs of socks on,” he added.
Although she was only wearing one pair of socks, Alice confirmed she too was wearing two pair of pants. Both children were looking forward to the hot chocolate and cookies.
Before the drone and light show, UVA student groups took to a stage in front of the Rotunda one by one, singing and dancing.
Then it was time for the annual poem.
