"A Capitol Fourth" from Washington, D.C. and Provo's "Patriotic Service 2008)
KBYU-TV Channel 11 will celebrate America’s birthday by airing two special patriotic celebrations, “A Capitol Fourth” live from Washington, D.C., and “America’s Freedom Festival Patriotic Service 2008” with featured speaker Glenn Beck. The programs will air on Friday, July 4, at 9 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
The 28th Annual broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth,” hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, brings together some of the country’s best-known artists, including Grammy-winning musicians Huey Lewis and the News, “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks, rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell as they perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Enrich Kunzel.
Set on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by a number of the nation’s most picturesque monuments and memorials, the celebration will feature one of the country’s most spectacular fireworks displays, live cannon fire and a special tribute to the American Olympic athletes with Gold Medal-winner Scott Hamilton.
As a part of one of the largest freedom celebrations in the country, “America’s Freedom Festival Patriotic Service 2008,” features patriotic messages and music from distinguished speakers and performers. Radio and cable news personality Glenn Beck headlines the event as the featured speaker, and internationally-renowned singer Michael Ballam brings out his talents to celebrate America’s independence with a stirring rendition of the national anthem and other patriotic hymns and anthems.
The patriotic service also includes musical performances by the Freedom Festival Concert Band under the direction of Donald Peterson, a prayer by Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah and a patriotic speech by contest-winner Kyle Ludwig.
The service originally took place on Sunday, June 29, 2008, in the BYU Marriott Center and was not broadcast live.
For more information about “A Capitol Fourth” or to obtain high-resolution photos, visit www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/. More information about “America’s Freedom Festival Patriotic Service 2008” can be found at www.freedomfestival.org/public/event_details/18.
Writer: Chris Giovarelli
