Let freedom ring at America’s Birthday Celebration

By Sage Merritt

Published: July 1, 2008

Staunton’s America’s Birthday Celebration is back again this year and bigger than ever, featuring the annual parade, music, a car show, crafts and, of course, fireworks.
The three-day celebration, taking place in Gypsy Hill Park on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will include performances by country artist Colin Raye and, returning after a successful performance last year, gospel singer Ivan Parker.
“We’re really excited about the fact that we have teamed up with the gospel singer Ivan Parker,” said Terri Corey, president of the organizing committee for America’s Birthday Celebration. “This is now an annual event on his calendar, and he is bringing his friends with him. Last year was his first year here, and everybody just fell in love with him. He had a great time. He said it felt like home, so he wants to come back.”
Parker’s performance with special guest Janet Paschal will be the main event on Thursday. Concessions will open at the park at 5 p.m. that day, with a vesper service at 6 p.m. and Parker’s concert at 7 p.m.
Independence Day at the park will begin early, with a 5k race at 7 a.m. At 8 a.m., craft and concession vendors will open. At 10 a.m. sharp on Friday, the annual July 4 parade will begin to wind its way through the park. Attendees are encouraged to come early, around 9 a.m. or earlier, to find the best seats.
“We have stressed patriotism and people showing that they’re proud of this country that we’re blessed with,” said T.C. Daniel, first vice president of the Birthday Celebration committee. “It’s a good parade. That’s what they tell me, anyway — I don’t get to see it. I’m busy getting everybody in place.”
The morning’s festivities will begin with the children’s parade, then the car parade, and then the main parade. The main parade this year will include everything from area military units, a horse and hound club and Woodrow Wilson’s car, to area Scouts and the Virginia Army Band. Daniel expects between 7,000 and 9,000 attendees at the parade.
“Anyone who wants to be in the parade to show patriotism is welcome,” Daniel said. “I enjoy the parade because people have fun and that’s what I like to see.”
The parade will wrap up around noon, followed by a performance by the Mountain Horn Sax Band, leading off the music for the afternoon. The Colgate Country Showdown will take place at 1 p.m., with Mike Helper taking the stage at 3 p.m., followed by Glen Shelton at 4 p.m. A flag ceremony will take place at 5:45 p.m., followed by South Bound Trio at 6 p.m. Headliner Colin Raye will take the stage at 8 p.m.
“We’re getting a lot of phone calls about Colin Raye,” said Corey. “People can’t believe he’s coming to Staunton.”
At 10 p.m., the annual fireworks display will follow Raye’s performance.
On Saturday, craft and concession vendors will open at 9 a.m. Also opening that morning is the car show, a first this year for America’s Birthday Celebration. Cars will gather around the gazebo on Constitution Avenue. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with judging at noon.
“This is our first year, and from the number of calls we’re getting, it seems like it will have a good turnout,” said Tom Tigert, car show organizer. “If we can get half of the cars we get in the parade, that would be tremendous.”
There will be senior bingo and an ice cream social at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Johnny Clifton Band will close out the celebration with a performance at 2 p.m.
“It just seems to grow year after year,” Tigert said. “When I first got involved 12 years ago, we were lucky if we had 25 floats in the parade. In the last few years, it’s grown by leaps and bounds. The community is real supportive of everything that goes on.”
Parking will be available in the field in front of the old R.E. Lee High School across from the park, as well as in the parking lot near the football field. After the parade ends on Friday, attendees can also park on available spots inside Gypsy Hill.
All events at America’s Birthday Celebration are free.
“We just ask that folks contribute something if they will,” said Daniel, adding that a free-will offering will be taken during the concerts.