Stadium of Fire

Campy? Over-the-top? Worthy of an eye roll? Yes, yes, and yes! Yet I'm drawn to this event all the same. I guess I just love seeing thousands of Utah families descending into one of my favorite places (Lavell Edwards Stadium) to honor our country.

Over the years I've seen the following headliners: Bob Hope, Kenny Loggins, Crystal Gale, Reba, Martina McBride, Natalie Cole, David Hasselhoff (how odd is that?), Rich Little, Mary Hart, Gladys Knight, Miley Cyrus, Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and the News, Mandy Moore, the Jets, Sawyer Brown, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn (yes, an over-supply of country singers), and the Blue Man Group. What an eclectic roster!

Other spectacles have included sky diving, pool diving, jet pack flying, a million firecrackers ignited (worthy of a Guinness record), Donny Osmond zip lining from a helicopter, thousands of coordinated dancers, F-16 flyovers, fire dancing and jump-roping, and giant American flags. Seriously, can you even beat that? No, no you can't . . . so don't even try! :)

And, for all you cougars out there (not BYU alum, but for those women who prefer the younger men), the Jonas Brothers graced the stage this year. Now, I must qualify -- I am not a fan. I know they're a Disney Channel phenomenon, but I'm out the loop on the teeny-bopper scene. I expected a canned performance from an over-produced track, but they actually play instruments and have musical talent. Anyone who plays piano is a kindred spirit indeed! The concert was more enjoyable than I expected. The biggest drawback? The screaming, screeching, hyper girls who surrounded us. I still shudder at the thought of them!



What a view! I love my Wasatch Front.


For those JoBro fans, check out the little guys on the stage -- that's them.


Lovely!


Here's the big firework finale. You might be able to hear the screeching girls in the background. They were horrified by the ash that rained down due to our close proximity. But, seriously, do they realize how much they horrified us? :)