Bill Norton and Barbara Stowell brought an American Holiday to the forefront and gave awareness to children and their parents about the US Constitution.
Back in 2002 John Lewis then the President of Gilbert’s Arizona Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, now the Mayor of Gilbert, asked them to commit their expertise to bring resurgence and celebrate the Constitution.
Its celebrations have grown in size and complexity over the years and have become a well-established tradition in Gilbert. Many displays reminded us about our freedom and the sacrifices made such as the Fallen Soldiers Memorial. The Washington Monument and the Liberty Bell also were displayed.
What they created together is a relationship in which they work on making a difference in people’s lives. They welcomed the opportunity to work on that which concerns all Americans.
This year David Archuleta performed at the Constitution fair on September 17, 2011, and with Archuleta as the headliner the event brought more youth. His performance was outstanding and he put on a great show for everyone.
His patriotic songs reminded us we are celebrating freedom and the liberty our forefathers created through the Constitution. Promoting family gatherings and giving back to the community has always been a priority of David Archuleta’s and this event was no exception. His tremendous talent drew large crowds and provided the evening with a great and inspiring concert.
Pre-show entertainment included local bands, such as Firefly and the Jones Boys. One song performed by the Jones Boys was written by Randy Cartchner specifically as a Constitution song. His presence during the concert brought great significance to the evening.
But the real stars of Constitution Week are the people that live in Gilbert, Arizona. They have built a community of family and faith and dedicated themselves to celebrate their love for the Constitution and all the privileges of freedom that our forefathers created.
Many volunteered their time, money and energy to bring awareness to the Constitution. Their community pride and dedication showed on their faces and on all who visited the Fair.
The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks show and it lit the sky, and while the smoke was settling I was already planning my return visit in 2012.
David Archuleta sings his heart out on patriotic songs at Constitution Fair
Last night, David Archuleta headlined the Constitution Fair in Gilbert, Arizona. Though David sang a full set, he first came out and sang the National Anthem, which seemed to be one of the highlights of the night. Normally singing only the first verse of the song, David changed it up and sang the last, more uncommon verse of the song, and seemed to blow the entire audience away.
Watch below, and be sure to listen for an excited "He was fantastic!" at the very end:
Credit to 1djafan
There's just something about the way David sings patriotic songs; he puts something into those performances that no one else does, and makes you really feel the meaning of the song. Don't know what I mean? Listen below as David sings his own patriotic medley of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and America The Beautiful from last night:
Credit to googoofan1
And if that's not enough, this performance of God Bless America is just breathtaking. Really, he's performed this song countless of times, but nothing compares to this version in my opinion. You can tell he's putting his all into this song, with his strong, beautiful voice and the amazing affect it has, this performance is absoluetly stunning.
Credit to YouCanCallMeTina
rarchiefan: Planning on recording Davids full set. Maybe audio only.
Dont worry hundreds of Archies here with cameras.
Shell_eeeyyy: It's almost David time!!!!
Jonerzz: The @davidarchie crowd!
KaleiLuvsHawaii: Scrambling to ready the stage 4 David. HURRY UPPP!
hazeleyd71: David!
lizmag3:
zerogravity1: David just did the most beautiful SSB! EVER!!! Extended version!! HOLY SMOKES!
KimmieDavid: God Bless America!
David is belting out ATLNOY
Zammie255: David
KimmieDavid: Rockin' the Elevator!
Shell_eeeyyy: Lisa's daughter was given this :)
This year, in addition to the parachuters, it featured a concert by “American Idol’s” David Archuleta -- and even more lights in the sky -- in the form of fireworks.
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 yetAZ Central
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."
There was a post by SweetonDA, who is from Arizona, that triggered an email from Sandybeaches (making a serious offer, she can share that part if she’d like) that put me in contact with Barbara Stowell, a most amazing woman from Constitution Week. This put things in motion that have brought an exciting opportunity for all of David’s fans. Many David fans have contacted her regarding the Constitution event, including me, so because of this she came up with a great idea for us fans; I can’t thank her enough and team David for giving us the greenlight!A donation of $25 will guarantee you entrance to the event and a seat in an area set up for fans close to the stage! She asked if I thought the fans would be interested I said yes and volunteered to distribute wristbands and collect the donations.The event starts at 6:00pm and they will have a designated area to line up. Remember that it will still be very warm so be prepared.Let us know if you are going, what your plans are, or any ideas you may have to give David a great welcome. Seriously, let’s make it happen! Roses to stomp, balloons, posters, or whatever we can come up with. Seeing a lot of folks wearing wristbands would be awesome as he would know they were fans.You will need to send a self addressed stamped envelope with a money order made out to: ConstitutionWeekUSAIf you are interested send an email to “TheVoiceDA@gmail.com” and we will provide you with the address to where you send your donation to obtain a fan seat wristband.
*Addendum 8/14/11*Djafan has been in contact again with Barbara Stowell of Constitution Fair to update her. Barbara made a small request that folks wear red, white and blue to the event on Saturday in keeping with the spirit of the festivities! Will try to get this message out to all the sites and twitter. I wonder if that goes for David too? That works for me!
*Addendum 8/17/11*The San Tan Legado is a new hotel and they are giving great discounted rates for this event. Their number is 480-809-4051 talk to Sharon or email sharon@santanlegado.com Tell her you are coming for the Constitution Fair for the discount.
*Update…deadline for wristbands*So far 100 seats are reserved !!! The deadline for requests is 9/2/11 to make sure there is enough time to get them back to you.
Come and celebrate the US Constitution with David at the Constitution Fair at Civic Plaza / Town Square in Gilbert, AZ, on Saturday, September 17th at 6 p.m.! David will play a full set with his band. You won’t want to miss this show!
Entrance fee: $2/person or $10/family.
Visit www.ConstitutionWeekUSA.com for more information about the Constitution Fair.
