Happening TONIGHT - GOOD FRIDAY - Lighting Up the Sky: Easter Message Returns to Cookeville Faith, technology and community come together in a powerful visual celebration on Good Friday, April 3, 2026

As the community prepares for Easter weekend, a unique and powerful display is set to take place Friday night across Cookeville.

High above one of the city’s busiest corridors, coordinated drone technology will bring the Easter story to life, using light to form meaningful scenes that reflect the message at the heart of the season.

But this is more than a visual display.

It is a fully immersive experience—one that combines sight, sound, and community in a shared moment of reflection, hope, and faith.

As night falls, viewers will see a series of illuminated scenes unfold in the sky, each representing a part of the Easter story.

Visuals last year included:

The display will conclude with a fireworks show, adding a celebratory finish to the evening.

While hundreds of drones light up the sky, another layer of the experience will unfold at the same time—one that cannot be seen, but is just as powerful.

According to Jason Grider, general manager of Grace FM, the station plays a central role in the experience.

“107.7 Grace FM is the heartbeat of the entire experience,” Grider said. “While the drones create the visual story in the sky, we provide the narration that brings it to life, guiding listeners through the story of Easter in real time. It turns a beautiful show into something deeply meaningful.”

The narration is carefully timed to match each moment in the sky.

“As the drones shift into different shapes and scenes, the narration walks listeners through each moment so what they’re seeing and hearing connect perfectly,” he said.

Grider described the event as something far beyond a typical production.

“It’s like watching a live movie in the sky with a powerful message,” he said. “The narration adds emotional depth and clarity, making the experience more immersive and unforgettable.”

For Grace FM, the opportunity aligns directly with its mission.

“As a station, our mission is to share hope, and there’s no greater story of hope than Easter,” Grider said. “Being able to help tell that story in such a creative and impactful way is something we don’t take lightly. It’s an honor.”

Listeners are encouraged to tune in ahead of the event.

“Set your radio to 107.7 Grace FM just before 8:00 p.m.,” he said. “If you’re attending in person, listen from your car or bring a portable radio for the best experience. If you’re not there, you can still follow along and hear the full story from wherever you are.”

Last year’s response, he said, was overwhelming.

“People talked about how moving it was, how it brought families together, and how the narration helped them see the Easter story in a fresh way,” Grider said. “Many said it gave them chills.”

For Steve Tiebout, pastor of The River Community Church, the Easter Drone Show began with a simple but powerful idea—to use modern technology to share an eternal message.

“This is our second year doing it, and we’ve got over 20 churches participating,” Tiebout said. “It’s really become a community effort.”

The idea originated when someone connected to the church, who works professionally in large-scale drone and pyrotechnic shows, approached him with a vision.

“He told me, ‘I’ve done the Super Bowl. I’ve done shows for the president. I want to do something for Jesus,’” Tiebout said.

What began as an ambitious concept quickly grew into a multi-church collaboration.

“We looked at what it would take, and honestly, we thought, ‘That’s a lot,’” he said. “But then we reached out to other churches, and they came alongside us and said, ‘Yes, this is something we want to do for our community—to glorify Christ.’”

That spirit of unity remains central to the event.

“We’ve really tried to focus on the fact that it’s multi-denominational,” he said. “No one church is getting the glory. This is about the message.”

Pull Quote:
 “It’s a gift from the local churches to the community.”

The show is hosted near what many locally refer to as “Prayer Mountain,” an area connected to a prayer walk and a cross overlooking the city.

“The goal is to create a place where people can come, pray, and reflect,” Tiebout said. “A place where they can hear from the Lord.”

Organizers say viewers do not need to be in one exact location.

“If you can see about 100 feet above the cross, you’ll be able to see the show,” he said.

While the technology behind the display is impressive, organizers say the deeper purpose is spiritual.

“I want people to see the magnitude of the gospel,” Tiebout said. “It’s overwhelming when you see it in the sky, but even that doesn’t compare to what Christ has done.”

The event is also designed to reach those who may not regularly attend church.

“One of the main reasons we did this was for people who may not have a relationship with Jesus,” he said. “We want them to hear the story in a way that connects with them today.”

At the conclusion of the show, viewers will be directed to a website where they can learn more about the Easter story.

The reach of the event has already extended far beyond Cookeville.

Last year’s Cookeville Now and Highlands Insider livestreams drew viewers from across the country, with many engaging in real time, sharing messages, and even requesting prayer.

“We had no idea what would happen,” Herbert Williams of the Highlands Insider said. “But people were engaging, asking for prayer, and connecting in ways we didn’t expect. It became a ministry in itself.”

Watching from home or on livestream?

Those viewing through Highlands Insider or Cookeville Now social channels are encouraged to tune their radio to 107.7 Grace FM to hear the narration and fully experience the story in real time.

BY THE NUMBERS

In a fast-moving world, moments like this create space to slow down.

They bring people together across different backgrounds and experiences, centered on a message that has endured for generations.

For many, it is a reminder of hope, renewal, and the deeper meaning behind the Easter season.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

As lights fill the sky Friday night, the message will be simple, yet powerful.

A story told not just in words, but in light.

And for those watching, whether in person or online, it is an invitation to reflect on the meaning of Easter and the hope it represents.