America's Freedom Festival at Provo showcases far more than celebrity entertainers. The talents of the people of Utah Valley are also on display each year, leading off with tonight's inspiring Hope of America Student Showcase at BYU's Marriott Center, starring local elementary school students.

Now in its 13th year, the Hope of America event is the culmination of studies at more than 60 schools. Using a Freedom Festival-supplied curriculum, the students have examined and absorbed American values. They have learned what it means to be a responsible citizen. And they have developed their literary and musical talents.

This inspiring event begins at 7:15 p.m.; admission is free. An estimated 20,000 spectators will be greeted by a chorus of 7,000 students in red, white and blue T-shirts that form an American flag. Through song, choreography, American Sign Language, flags and flashlights, the students will present an unmatched show displaying what it means to be "the hope of America" -- the next generation of leaders.

Then on Thursday there will be two more opportunities for young people to display both their talent and love of country. These free events will take place at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Provo City Building, 351 W. Center.

The Freedom Festival's Speech Contest invites high schoolers to speak on "American Values: Family, Freedom, God and Country." Contestants will speak, without notes, for five to seven minutes, and will celebrate America and the good it represents.

The Freedom Festival Multimedia Contest asked high school students to submit a patriotic public service announcement. Held in conjunction with the Utah High School Film and Video Contest, the event will feature students' understanding of patriotism as communicated in film, video, audio, animation or other formats. On Thursday, the top projects will be displayed at the Provo City Building.

The Freedom Festival encourages students to educate themselves about what freedom means and how a nation can maintain it.

Perhaps the greatest thing about these events is the way that they help young people develop their love of country and understanding of freedom. Sadly, these values are sometimes dismissed by the overly sophisticated. They scoff at patriotism, suggesting that it's an easy way out. Of course it's easy to sneer but infinitely harder to actually stay free.

The festival reminds us, among many other things, that freedom takes hard work, deep thought and sometimes dangerous undertakings. In their studies, young people will find that the great American patriots understood human nature more profoundly, struggled more passionately and sacrificed more than almost anyone. The students themselves, with their talent and hard work, will demonstrate that patriotism is an accomplishment of dedication, skill and understanding.

These will be entertaining and uplifting events, and we are happy to recommend them to the entire Utah Valley community. They are also harbingers of the many more Freedom Festival offerings that do so much every year to reinvigorate essential feelings of patriotism.