In partnership with Dixie State University, Merrill Osmond is excited to bring back The Pioneer Legacy & Firework Celebration to DSU’s recently renovated Trailblazer Stadium on Tuesday, July 24. A theatrical representation of the Dixie pioneers’ westward trek, this family-friendly event celebrates the life of the pioneers who settled Southern Utah while raising hearing-health awareness and benefiting local deaf children with the gift of better hearing.

The Pioneer Legacy & Firework Celebration is produced by Merrill, world-renowned entertainer, songwriter, lead singer of the Osmonds, and executive producer for both Stadium of Fire and The Donny & Marie Show. He began composing, directing, and producing The Pioneer Legacy during the 1980s, and it has been performed for thousands of attendees throughout the country. Every line and song in this production was written by Merrill, along with the talents of Sam Cardon, Cliff Maag, and Sam Payne.

The Pioneer Legacy is based on Merrill’s strong belief that today’s youth are the hope and future of tomorrow. Through song and dance, this year’s production will include more than 100 youth and celebrates the journey and sacrifice of the Dixie trailblazers and their attempt to settle the untamed expanse of southern Utah. Re-enactments of Catholic missionary colonizers, Greek and Italian pioneers, Chinese, Jewish, and Mormon settlers, as well as Native Americans will showcase Utah’s history.

“Come and join us as we celebrate the trailblazers of Dixie,” Merrill said. “While the Mormon pioneers are a huge part of Utah’s history, this production is nondenominational and celebrates all pioneers who made the trek to southern Utah and sacrificed so much for what we enjoy today.”

Proceeds from this charity-based event will go to the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund and the Osmond Center for Arts & Production, which is under the DSU College of the Arts. This year’s event will include a special presentation of providing two local deaf individuals with the gift of hearing. Thanks to Sound of Life Foundation, one of the event’s wonderful sponsors, for helping to make this possible. Over the years, the Youth Pioneer Production has raised more than $110,000 to help local children hear life’s precious sounds. The Olive Osmond Hearing Fund was established in 2010 by Merrill’s son Justin and has helped more than 3,000 children with hearing loss. Learn more about the foundation at www.hearingfund.org.

 

Save the date and plan now to enjoy a musical celebration of Utah’s  cultural heritage with your family and friends. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., the pre-show begins at 8:30 p.m., the Pioneer Legacy show will take place at 9:20 p.m. and the firework spectacular will start at 10:15 p.m. Before the youth musical production begins, there will be a pre-show of great entertainment, skydivers, a tribute to our military armed forces & many more fun surprises. Thanks to the event’s title sponsors, Canyon Media, SkyWest Airlines, Tuacahn, Larry H. Miller Foundation, Camping World, Sound of Life Foundation, and Washington County Tourism, The Pioneer Legacy & Firework Celebration is free to attend. Come early to get the best seats!

For more information, visit ThePioneerLegacy.com.

This article was originally posted on the Utah Tech website at https://bulletin.utahtech.edu/2018/06/13/the-pioneer-legacy/