Stadium of Fire acts celebrate 50 years since first man on moon
Attendees watch the fireworks show during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Flippenout performs in superhero costumes at America's Freedom Festival's Stadium of Fire at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday, July 4, 2014. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald
The Stadium of Fire Dancers perform during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Titus Trimiar waits to perform with other Stadium of Fire Dancers before Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Airplanes perform a flyover during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Sierra Johnson, of Layton, waits to perform with other Stadium of Fire Dancers before Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
The Stadium of Fire Dancers hold a pose after performing during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
The Stadium of Fire Dancers perform during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
A member of the Rockwell Airtime skydiving team comes in for a landing during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Attendees watch the fireworks show during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Attendees watch the fireworks show from the stands during Stadium of Fire held Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Some of the acts at the America’s Freedom Festival at Provo’s 2019 Bank of American Fork Stadium of Fire will celebrate 50 years since Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon in July 1969.
This year’s 24-minute fireworks finale following country singer Keith Urban’s performance is set to include a 12-minute section of moon songs before ending with 12 minutes of patriotic music, according to Paul Warner, the Freedom Festival’s executive director.
Trampoline team Flippenout, who performed at the 2014 Stadium of Fire dressed as superheroes, will also incorporate the 50th anniversary into their routine.
“(Five) years ago, they had the stand and just tramps on two sides,” Warner said. “This year, they’re going to try to make the thing look a little bit like landing on the moon, and they’ll have four trampolines on four different sides of the thing that’ll be out in the middle of the field, so we’re anticipating really a super thing that way.”
Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, who was originally announced as part of this year’s Stadium of Fire lineup, will not appear at the event due to some challenges that came up in his schedule, according to Warner.
“He’ll still be the parade grand marshal, but a co-grand marshal because Jennie Taylor will also be a grand marshal,” Warner said.
Jennie Taylor is the wife of Maj. Brent Taylor, a former North Ogden mayor who was killed in Afghanistan last year.
The Stadium of Fire will hold to its traditions of featuring new acts from the Stadium of Fire Dancers, a Hill Field military flyover and skydivers, who will appear during the first part of the show.
“Last year, we had them in lit suits,” Warner said. “This year, they’ll come at the start and bring the flag into the service.”
The event will include a section recognizing longtime former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s service in the community, the Freedom Awards Gala honorees and Master Officer Joseph Shinners, a Provo police officer who died in the line of duty this year.
The winner of Gigg’s Stadium of Fire Talent Competition will perform two numbers that will “be popular with the crowd,” according to Warner.
“It won’t be just some number nobody’s ever heard before, but it’ll be a cover song from some artist,” Warner said.
Guests can also anticipate giveaways from KSL, iHeartRadio, Provo City and Bank of American Fork.
“We try to do everything we can to lead up to the talent to be positive, fast paced, get a patriotic feel and appreciation as the honor guard comes in, so that this is something that you feel, ‘I’m glad I’m an American and I’m glad I came tonight,'” Warner said. “We want people to feel like it was great to come.”
Warner thinks these acts contribute “the spirit of Americana” to the Stadium of Fire.
“This is America,” Warner said. “The flag, the honor guard, the jets — these are all things that really make the country what it is, and for a moment or two, we can forget about the fight between Democrats and Republicans and this group and that group and just for a night all be Americans and be grateful that we have … an opportunity to say, ‘I’m glad to live in this county, and maybe I can help it be a little better.'”
The Stadium of Fire is set for July 4 at 8 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium, 1700 N. Canyon Road, Provo. Tickets cost $29-$250, with more information online at stadiumoffire.com.