Organised by Education, Sport & Culture and sponsored by Butterfield, the display will see the drones launched from North Beach at 9pm and put on a 10-minute show, with accompanying music arranged by local composer Jean Owen.
Choreographed by UK aerial light display provider FlightShows, it will be the first-ever public drone display to be held in Guernsey.
FlightShows directors Eoin O’Grady and George Chatburn will be supervising the display, and Mr O’Grady said planning for the show – which was still ongoing – had been taking place since May last year.
‘We’ve learnt so much about the history of the island, and we’ve got Jo [Ferguson, States marketing manager] to thank for providing us with so many details, she’s been fantastic,’ he said.
‘Our aim has been to capture the most iconic moments from the time period – the evacuation, the island’s transformation during the war, and the freedom, happiness and hope of Liberation.
‘It’s a pretty sombre story to tell, so we’ve obviously had to take the delicate nature of it into account and make sure we’re respectful and get it right.’
Mr Chatburn said the drones in the display would be pre-programmed, meaning each drone would know where it was in the sky at any given moment, when and where to move, and when to change colour.
‘We need to say a massive thanks to the island’s Civil Aviation Authority as they’ve been really helpful in terms of assisting us with the logistics.
‘The things you can do with drones nowadays are pretty remarkable, there are obviously technological challenges but we’ve enjoyed getting creative and we’re excited for people to see the display.’
The pair added that the drones were still capable of flying in inclement weather should the situation arise.
‘There is a small chance of not being able to fly the drones if the weather is really terrible, but that isn’t of concern to us, flying them is possible in most weather conditions,’ Mr O’Grady said.
ESC committee member Sue Aldwell said the performance would unlock a ‘completely different’ way for islanders to come together and reflect on Guernsey’s past.
‘I would like to thank Butterfield for their support in offering the community a shared moment of reflection and celebration with this remarkable tribute that, literally, reaches new heights.
‘We wanted to bring something special to this year’s event to recognise the significance of the 80th anniversary and which will be enjoyed by people of all ages.
‘I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the Liberation Day organising committee and all the partners and volunteers they are working with who are going above and beyond this year to make our 80th celebrations one to remember.’
For more information about the Liberation Day programme, visit liberationday.gg.
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