Liberty Celebration is a non-profit, biennial, all-volunteer event that began more than 28 years ago as a community patriotic musical featuring over 150-participants in the choir and full orchestra. The program presents traditional familiar songs which are classical standards with new music selections and arrangements of other pieces complementing the theme of each production. In 2026 the program featured a new composition written specially for this year’s Liberty Celebration by one of ... Read More
Liberty Celebration is a non-profit, biennial, all-volunteer event that began more than 28 years ago as a community patriotic musical featuring over 150-participants in the choir and full orchestra. The program presents traditional familiar songs which are classical standards with new music selections and arrangements of other pieces complementing the theme of each production. In 2026 the program featured a new composition written specially for this year’s Liberty Celebration by one of the program participants.
Liberty Celebration kicks off our community observance of Independence Day and puts us in a celebratory – and reflective – mindset a few days ahead of the parades and fireworks that are the Fourth of July. This is especially important in 2026 as we planned our nation’s 250th birthday celebration. Liberty Celebration is an opportunity to focus on the heritage of our nation and Tennessee, on what makes our country an exceptional place to live and work, and on the sacrifices made by so many for the freedom we enjoy today.
The official theme of Liberty Celebration 2026 is “America 250 Strong!” As we focus on the important role of the Volunteer State in our nation’s history, we have incorporated that role into our 2026 performance as we present “AMERICA 250 STRONG . . . with Volunteer Spirit!”
Two performances of Liberty Celebration 2026 took place at the Toy F. Reid Center in Kingsport on Friday evening, June 26 and Saturday afternoon, June 27. $5.00 tickets for each two-hour performance were only $5.00 Our goal is that tickets may someday be free through business sponsorships. Many tickets were sponsored and provided free to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders. We experienced nearly a full house as attendees numbered 3,000.
A volunteer committee of two dozen local residents from all walks of life plan, produce, and stage the event, with the assistance of more than 200 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds from the community . . . singers, musicians, staging assistants, a graphic designer, ticket sellers, sound and lighting technicians, ushers, a webmaster, hair and makeup artists, dancers, actors, and many others. Many of the musicians and singers who perform in Liberty Celebration sing in local church choirs or provide instrumental music in worship services. Others are in choral groups or bands at area high schools and colleges. Some participants use their voices and instrumental talents to entertain professionally. The choir also participates in annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day services in Kingsport.
After payment of all event expenses – and setting aside seed money for the next performance year, Liberty Celebration makes a substantial gift to veterans’ organizations in Northeast Tennessee under the auspices of the Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council. In 2024 our gift was $3,800. In 2026 this gift was expanded to $5,000 despite needed and increased production costs. We will continue to seek increased sponsorships and program ad funding for our 2028 production which will allow us to surpass this year’s over $10,000 direct donations. Liberty Celebration 2026 received over $10,000 of in-kind donations.
This coming January 2027, The Liberty Celebration Planning Committee will begin work on its next performance in June 2028. We will continue to solicit your grants and donations which make this biennial production possible.
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