Local talent being chosen for Red, White and Blue Fest
By Randy Bell
The City of Clinton wants someone from the community to play a major role in Clinton’s annual Fourth of July celebration this year, performing the National Anthem at the event. Local musicians and vocalists were invited to submit video auditions and a winner chosen in online voting will perform the Star Spangled Banner live at the Red, White and Blue Fest at Traceway Park.
The deadline for submitting an audition video was June 10. The Red, White and Blue Fest Committee chose three finalists, and those videos have been posted on the City of Clinton’s social media pages, remaining there through June 17. The performer who receives the most social media likes will be announced as the winner on June 19.
That person will join a couple of other talented acts in entertaining the crowd at the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. In April, Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nunn announced that a high-energy dance band from Columbus, Georgia—the Fountain City Players– has been booked to headline the show.
And, on June 2, the Board of Aldermen approved a $3,500 contract with JCW Enterprises LLC for an opening act that may be hard to follow—Tupelo’s John Clayton White.
“He is a fifteen-year-old blues prodigy,” says Nunn. “He’s done a lot of really cool performances around the state and the Southeast region. I think he’ll be a great performer to lead us into the night.”
Nunn says White recently appeared at the Mississippi Makers Fest in Jackson.
“It sounds like he was a hit there and a lot of people enjoyed him, so we’re excited to have him this year.”
White will take the stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by an opening ceremony around 7 featuring the winner of the social media vote performing the National Anthem. After that, the Fountain City Players will entertain with a mix of Motown, Top 40, pop, classic rock, oldies and variety songs.
As always, the Red, White and Blue Fest will wrap up with a bang.
“We have our big fireworks show,” Nunn says. “It’ll start at 9 p.m. It’s going to be put on by Pyro Shows. So, an exciting night.”
