Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Keith McCord ReportingAn Independence Day "institution" is once again about ready to go. The annual "Stadium of Fire" will take place tomorrow night in Provo. It's not sold out yet, but is expected to be when the first skyrocket goes up.
Hundreds of pyrotechnics exploding high above LaVell Edwards Stadium is always the final product of Stadium of Fire. But there's much more to the show and it takes days of preparation to get there.
The bands are rehearsing, the dancers are too. Sound technicians are setting up huge banks of speakers on the stage, and the fireworks guys are making sure that the bombs will burst in air when they're supposed to.
Behind the scenes at Stadium of Fire is always controlled chaos with a lot going on simultaneously. The goal is to bring a fun, fresh program and still maintain a hometown feel.
Brad Pelo, Senior Executive Producer: "We try to have something new every year. For many years people thought the Stadium of Fire, ‘Well I've already seen it, you just change the headliner.'"
The show, which will be seen via satellite by soldiers in Iraq, will feature country singer LeeAnn Womack and Taylor Hicks from American Idol. There will be sky divers and an F-16 flyover. Performers from all over Utah will join in.
Brad Pelo, Senior Executive Producer: "We have 1100 stadium of fire dancers, a 500 piece band and 200 piece drum line all from high schools throughout the state."
Plus, a Battle of the "Tribute" Bands, featuring the music of the Beach Boys, ABBA and Queen.
And the rehearsing is still going on this evening. The show starts at 7:30 tomorrow night. There are other Fourth of July festivities around the state, planned for tonight, this weekend, and through the beginning of next week.
