PROVO — Hosting fireworks, a stadium-sized flag and 50,000 roaring Americans, the LaVell Edwards Stadium nearly exploded with patriotism Wednesday.
"Only in America," sang country music stars Brooks & Dunn, who headlined the show, "Where we dream as big as we want to; We all get a chance."
And with local and national talent, the Stadium of Fire celebrated just that — living the American dream.
"Tonight's a night to be inspired. Tonight is a night to feel emotion. Tonight is a night to let her rip and have some fun," said TV and radio talk show host Glenn Beck, who emceed the event. "So let's start with all three, shall we?"
The stars and stripes made their first entrance into the stadium in the arms of a skydiver whose unexpected drop from the sky sent ripples of awe through the crowd. The flag splayed out behind the skydiver as he swept down onto the field, waving for the standing, cheering crowd.
And 25,000 flags, in the hands of audience members, waved back.
"It was exciting — awesome," said Bud Cottrell, 75, a former member of the U.S. Air Force who frequently attends the Stadium of Fire. "You have to wonder how much fun they are having and how much danger they are in. I am in awe of the skill."
Nearly 1,000 dancers from studios across the state flooded the field, waving glittering, red and white pompons, jump roping and hula hooping in synchronization. Gymnasts flipped and kicked on trampolines.
Disney's Corbin Bleu, one of the stars of "High School Musical," made his entrance between the dancers' jump ropes.
A grin from the movie star elicited screams from the teenage population. One girl near the front nearly fainted.
"He's amazing!" gushed Kali Hampton, 13, who came from Murray to see the Stadium of Fire. "He's like hot, and he's an amazing dancer. I love him."
But nothing, including pop stars, can be more dramatic that being half a world away from the soldier you love, said Regina Taylor, who acted as narrator for part of the event. She plays the wife of a deployed soldier in the television drama, "The Unit."
"The Star-Spangled Banner" took on extra patriotic meaning during the show when the families of 180 recently activated Utah National Guard soldiers took the stage and sang the anthem together. Their soldiers watched the performance from Camp Shelby, Miss., where they are preparing to go to Iraq.
"Hi baby, hi baby," said a tearful wife to her husband, miles away. "You guys get home here soon. I love you, baby."
The regiment's reaction to the performance brought tears to many audience members.
Hearing the national anthem gave them goose bumps, one soldier said. "It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it," said another.
Ron Dupee, who came from Las Vegas for America's Freedom Festival and the Stadium of Fire, said he enjoys the show's tributes to the soldiers.
"It gets the old heart adrenaline going," he said. "So many guys out there are putting their lives on the line. It's good that we appreciate them during things like this."
The crowd oohed and awed for Rocketman as he zipped around the stadium in a flurry of sparks, and the crowd shared an emotional moment when performers lit a life-size replica of the Statue of Liberty's torch, but a full concert by Brooks & Dunn was what many in the audience were waiting for.
"It's great, great entertainment," said Phylis Adams, 56, from Provo. "We are big country music fans."
E-mail: estuart@desnews.com