Kingsport's Liberty Celebration rehearses for performances

KINGSPORT — The Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center auditorium was abuzz Thursday evening as Liberty Celebration participants rehearsed one final time ahead of the upcoming shows. With more than a hundred choir members, a full orchestra, dancers and actors were part of the rehearsal, this year's program is titled "America 250 Strong". Marc Strand, conductor and creative director for the Liberty Celebration, said he has been a part of 14 shows with the organization. "This is the Liberty Celebration, it started with a couple shows back in the [1980's]," he said. "I got invited to be a part of this in 1997 when they opened MeadowView for the first time. We did a concert with them, and we've done it about every two years since then." Strand said this year's show pays homage to past iterations of the program, including everyone's favorite patriotic hits and some originals. "We've gone back through the 30 years or so that we were working on this and picked all of our best stuff and put it in this show," he said. "'America the Beautiful', 'God Bless the USA,' it's a marvelous thing … We have three pieces in this that are original arrangements with us, no one else is performing them." He said among the 110 choir members and 38-piece orchestra, there are eight band directors from around the Tri-Cities and "nearly a dozen" choir directors participating this year. "It's more than just music, it's the message of who we are as a nation," Strand commented. "We're quoting our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence and President Lincoln, just to remember where we came from, how we got here and where we're going." Putting together the show is a multi-year endeavor, according to Strand. As soon as one show ends, they are already planning for the next show two years down the line. "We've been meeting weekly now," he said. "The choir and the orchestra started in the first of May, so we've been at it hard for two months, and the choir practices on Saturday mornings and Monday nights, and the orchestras on Thursday." Continued legacy Dave Williams, Liberty Celebration planning committee chair, said the event has happened every two years since 1997, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said West Ridge High School's Air Force JROTC will be doing a reenactment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. But more than that, Williams said there are probably about a hundred people who work behind the scenes to make sure the costumes, choreography and setup are perfect for the performances. "We've been very successful this year, so anybody and everybody that has a role, no matter how small, is really a part of the Liberty Celebration family," he mentioned. "We appreciate everybody that has gone above and beyond to spend time [with us]." Williams also encouraged the community to enjoy this year's show while also looking forward to participating in the 2028 ensemble. From the choir Several longtime Liberty Celebration choir members shared about what being a part of the program meant to them. Rob Harris said he has participated for more than 20 years with Liberty Celebration. He was a part-time music director at a local Baptist church and was recruited by some friends to join. Being a part of the celebration helped remind him of America's accomplishments and how grateful he is to live in the United States. Jane Adams, who sang in the first performance in 1997, said she's done at least six to eight Liberty Celebration runs. Being a part of the program helped her appreciate her country more. "It's a wonderful program, it celebrates God's country, and we're all so united," she said. "We're musicians; it's a great community experience." For 2026, shows are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, with a purchased ticket required for entry. For more information, visit LibertyCelebration.com or Facebook.com/LibertyCelebration.