The Tesla Owners Club of Michigan returned to Heritage Landing in Muskegon for its highly anticipated annual Summer Meetup. Over two days, the event blended electric vehicle enthusiasm, STEM education, and a dazzling drone and light show that lit up the lakeside sky.

Held Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, this year’s Summer Meetup kicked off with a gathering of Tesla and EV owners, panel discussions, hands-on STEM/STEAM activities, and a veteran resource fair organized in partnership with Celebration of Service. The event celebrated sustainable technology while honoring veterans and first responders.

The highlight: a world-record attempt to synchronize more than 500 drones with 200 electric vehicles in a simultaneous light show. While they didn’t hit the goal of 200 vehicles, 98 Teslas participated, putting on a spectacular display. The show—produced by Jamal Steward and Northern Lights Drone Company of Wisconsin—launched at dusk on Friday night. A second patriotic drone show was scheduled for Saturday, but unfortunately had to be canceled due to high winds.

But for Steward, this event was about much more than lights in the sky.

A Marine Corps electronics technician turned aerospace engineer, Steward understands both the magnetic draw of advanced technology and the often silent struggle of post-service life. He envisioned an event that would bring families, not just veterans, into the conversation.

“This event is about creating a platform where veterans don’t have to feel isolated,” Steward said. “It’s about equipping the people in their orbit—family, neighbors, friends—with the information to help connect them.”

Under his nonprofit Celebration of Service, Steward emphasized impact over spectacle. Last year, the organization helped connect four veterans to the Wounded Warrior Project. This year’s goal was to support ten more.

To ensure accessibility, admission was just $5 for the general public, and free for veterans, active-duty military, and K–12 students—encouraging families to attend together. Inside the fair, Steward curated a wide array of support services, from PTSD therapy and health screenings to housing assistance, entrepreneurship guidance, and wellness counseling. A Friday night networking mixer offered veterans a safe, supportive space to connect—before the lights even came on.

For Steward, the mission is deeply personal. He’s lost two close veteran friends to suicide.

“By involving the broader public,” he said, “more veterans will connect to the services they need.”

To expand the event’s reach, Steward invited West Michigan neighbors—Grand Rapids, the Tri-Cities, Ottawa County—to “show your love for veterans” by showing up and supporting military families.

From the beginning, every detail of the event was designed to convert attention into awareness, and spectacle into support—all against the backdrop of a breathtaking drone and EV light show.

You can view the full drone show here on X.
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