ST. GEORGE — Some 14,000 revelers flocked to 99.9 KONY Country’s 4th of July Celebration Monday night at Greater Zion Stadium. Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck and country music superstar Dustin Lynch headlined the celebration, preparing the patriotic crowd for the largest fireworks show in Southern Utah.

Host Tim Gates began the evening by introducing musician Lokkey Hammet, who sang “Happy Birthday” to America. Reverend Ralph Clingan then gave the opening prayer, followed by a posting of the colors by the Sons of the Revolution and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Valorie King and a boy nicknamed “Little George.”

Kallister Hutchings, 13, performed the national anthem for the stadium’s packed audience.

Next on the lineup was Tom Jones, a world-record-holding marathon runner who ran 76 marathons in 76 days to raise awareness for patriotic education for American youth, as previously reported by St. George News.

Jones, waving an American flag, ran through the crowd toward the stage with a trail of flag-wielding volunteers following behind him.

“God told me to speak from my heart tonight,” he said. 

Jones sought to inspire patriotism in the crowd and raise donations for the Liberty Village construction in Hurricane, a project of replica buildings from American history.

The small Coral Canyon Elementary Choir, directed by Uriah Hernalsteen, joined Jones on stage to sing “Freedom Isn’t Free.”

Glenn Beck took the stage next. Standing over the densely packed crowd, he spoke of patriotism and unity in modern-day America.

“Today we are in the sunshine, pledging to be united together,” he said. “But as the winter comes, let’s remember that we are to be united around a set of principles and ideals that are truly American.

“It doesn’t matter your race. It doesn’t matter your age. It doesn’t matter where you came from, or what your faith is or isn’t – we are Americans, united as one.”

After Beck, musicians William Joseph, Pia Toscano and their accompanists serenaded the crowd with instrumentals, including stirring performances played vocally and on the piano and electric cello.

Toscano sang “God Bless America” while dozens of volunteers unfurled a massive American flag across the stadium’s east bleachers.

The crowd swarmed along the elongated stage as they anticipated the night’s biggest event: Dustin Lynch. The country singer did not disappoint – concertgoers jumped and screamed throughout the hour-and-a-half of music. Lynch played his popular songs, like “Thinkin’ Bout You,” “Small Town Boy” and “Seeing Red,” but he also played songs heard less on the radio, like “Stars Like Confetti.” The concert concluded around 9:45 p.m.

Patriotic songs – classics and contemporary – blasted from the concert speakers as fireworks burst overhead at 10 p.m. The celebration’s myriad of fireworks coalesced into a montage of colors, firing in rapid succession and dwarfing the other fireworks blooming across St. George’s sky.

Wearing American-flag-patterned shirts, hats and blankets, the thousands of celebration attendees left the stadium, smoke from the night’s fireworks wafting across the parking lots.

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