Constitution Fair articles

9/17: 'Idol's' Archuleta brings 'Other Side of Down' to Gilbert

"American Idol" fans, take note.

David Archuleta, the Season 7 runner-up whose debut single, "Crush," hit No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100, is bound for Gilbert, where he'll headline Constitution Week with a 40-minute concert Saturday, Sept. 17, at Gilbert's Constitution Fair.

Simon Cowell declared Archuleta the winner over David Cook in the final night of competition in 2008, but Cook (who also felt he'd lost) prevailed.

Although the singer hasn't had a hit since "Crush," his latest album, 2010's "The Other Side of Down," debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard album chart. He's sold more than 1 million albums and 3 million digital downloads since his "Idol" run.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Town Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive and Gilbert Road, Gilbert. Suggested donation of $5 per person or $15 per family. Constitutionweekusa.com.

Constitution Week in Gilbert will be the biggest yet

With a big-name headliner, a $90,000 budget and a 10th anniversary billing, Constitution Week USA plans its biggest-yet celebration in Gilbert next week.

"It's all about education," organizer Jared Taylor said. "It's to remind people of the freedom and liberty that came to us as a result of the Constitution."

Similar to previous years, a full program of seminars, school presentations, a theatrical show, art show and workshops will culminate Sept. 17 with the Constitution Fair at the Town Center.

The "American Idol" Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is the marquee headliner for the fair.

As Constitution Week grows, organizers will strive to bring in bigger entertainment names, Taylor said, adding that Archuleta, who will perform a 40-minute concert that will include numbers from his new album, "The Other Side of Down," has a large following around the world.

Organizers expect about 10,000 people at the fair, up from the estimated 8,000 who attended last year.

Corresponding to the higher expenses, suggested donation levels will rise: this year, the requested donation is $5 per person or $15 per family; last year it was $2 per person or $10 per family.

The local salute to the nation's founders began when now Gilbert Mayor John Lewis was a leader of an interfaith community group that wanted to mark the then-214th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Lewis wanted another celebration to keep the patriotic spirit alive because in Arizona, the Fourth of July holiday is normally excessively hot.

What began with a small children's parade evolved into the larger event when Gilbert Public Schools became involved. Local Constitution experts and advocates Bill Norton and Barbara Stowell developed the program.

"The progress of the Constitution Week celebration has been incredible," Lewis said. "Those involved in making the celebration the largest of its kind in the country dreamed big and then they went to work and made their dream come true - another great American story!"

For Lewis, the fair is one of the highlights of the year. But many people in Arizona don't know about the multifaceted celebration Gilbert stages, he said.

Last year, the first time the celebration was held at Gilbert Town Hall, Gov. Jan Brewer attended and remarked that she had "no idea" that this type of celebration was occurring, according to the mayor.

Norton, who travels around the country holding Constitution seminars, said "I don't even have an idea of what's happening; it's so large."

Norton has estimated that Gilbert's celebration is the largest in the country, taking into consideration the 8,000-plus fairgoers, the 4,000 students who participate in the school program, the 1,500 Boy Scouts program and the 25,000 family members who partake in Constitution lessons at home during that week.

But it's not the oldest, he said. The city of Louisville, Ohio has been celebrating it since 1956, the first year Constitution Week was formally declared by Congress.

It has been 224 years since the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, uniting the country and establishing the principles of freedom and liberty and supporters say its principles are lasting and still relevant.

"The events of Constitution Week provide an ideal time for children to receive lasting memories of why America is such a great place to live," Lewis said. "A knowledge of the Constitution will help direct the future of this country . . . and will give us a proper path to follow in 2011."

AZ Central