An American tradition

Theresa Curry / News Virginian
Published: June 27, 2007

At the height of their popularity, they set out to give Staunton a way to celebrate July 4th in style. Beginning July 4, 1970, the Statler Brothers drew a crowd of a few thousand to their hometown, anticipating their star power would enable local charities and civic to bring in enough cash selling snow cones and popcorn to keep them going for another year.

They were right. Within five years, Jimmy Fortune had replaced the ailing Lew DeWitt - the author of "Flowers on the Wall"- and 100,000 or so souls from all over were coming to the free event, called "Happy Birthday U.S.A." Gypsy Hill Park was filled with glitter and twang as folks like Reba McIntire, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Johnny and June Cash, Ronnie Milsap and Mel Tillis stepped down from their gilded buses and onto the outdoor stage.

The Statlers have retired, but "Happy Birthday U.S.A" endures, with music, crafts, food, a foot race and fireworks. The more modest patriotic celebration varies from year to year, but always includes plenty of heartland Americana, from artisans to gospel music, fire trucks to fireworks. And, thanks to the hard work of the "America's Birthday Celebration" Committee, big-name acts are back, says Committee Chairman Terri Corey. With bingo fundraisers, going door-to-door to downtown businesses and in-kind donations, the committee was able to raise $48,000 to help swing blockbusters like the Drifters and Restless Heart.

You don't have to wait until the 4th to head over to Gypsy Hill Park and be inspired by what it means to live in a beautiful Virginia town. Take a seat in the park on Tuesday and hear the Greater Love Quartet at 6 p.m. Greater Love is a southern gospel group from right here in Central Virginia featuring bass singer Don Leake, baritone singer Craig Leake and tenor Joey Hogsten. Danny Figgins sings lead.

The sacred music precedes Vespers at 7, followed by Ivan Parker at 8. Parker was voted favorite lead vocalist by readers of Singing News six times and favorite male vocalist eight times. He also was honored by the Southern Gospel Music Association as "soloist of the year" in 1998. In his long career, he's won many awards for his religious music.

July 4th begins with a 5k Race at 7 a.m. As soon as the runners disappear, the parade comes into sight at 10 a.m., with fire trucks, majorettes, Girl Scouts and local civic groups, including a lot of children's organizations.

Vendors will be throughout the area, with food and fine local crafts; wonderful local talent will be there to entertain. While you listen to the sweet sounds, you'll be able to shop for everything from a framed print to a hand-thrown vase, sample cotton candy, funnel cakes and kebobs, and catch up with the lives of your relatives, friends and neighbors.

In case this doesn't fill your nostalgia quotient, stay for the Drifters, a band that's played for 25 years, releasing hits like "There Goes My Baby," "Under the Boardwalk," "On Broadway," "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "This Magic Moment," an R & B chronicle of the same moments in everyday life that inspired the Statlers. The crooners will fly into Roanoke and shuttle to the park, where they'll dine on dinner donated by Staunton's The Catering Place.

Under the tent with the rock legends will be Restless Heart, who plays at 8. This country-pop quintet reassembled itself after many years and recently released "Still Restless" to the delight of loyal fans. One of their songs, "I'll Still Be Loving You," was voted one of the best country love songs by country music fans. The Staunton appearance is part of the reunion tour, and they'll have CDs for sale, Corey said. Both groups will stay overnight in the Queen City, courtesy of the Hampton Inn.

Fireworks, always a spectacular display, follow at 10 p.m. Corey reminds everyone to come early, bring chairs and leave the pets at home, no matter how cute. Picnics and coolers are encouraged; alcoholic beverages are forbidden.

For information on "Happy Birthday U.S.A.," go to http://www.stauntonjuly4th.com.

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