Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae, & Cirque Du Soleil

Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson to headline Stadium of Fire 2013; Special guest appearance by Carly Rae Jepsen, plus unprecedented performance by Cirque du Soleil

Provo, Utah – March 28, 2013 – America’s Freedom Festival at Provo is thrilled to announce that Grammy-winning pop and rock star Kelly Clarkson will officially headline Stadium of Fire 2013, sponsored by Seven Peaks, on Thursday, July 4th, at Brigham Young University’s LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Singer-songwriting sensation Carly Ray Jepsen and acrobats from Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas will also perform at the event.

“With 80 no. 1 singles on the Billboard charts, and 11 no. 1 singles worldwide, Kelly Clarkson is one of the 21st century’s most accomplished and celebrated musical artists,” said Paul Warner, Executive Director of America’s Freedom Festival. “She’s a remarkable talent, and hers is the classic story of the American Dream. We’re excited to have her headline this year’s patriotic event.”

Also performing at Stadium of Fire is pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, whose monster hit “Call Me Maybe” became the best-selling single worldwide in 2012 and the most popular single of the year in the iTunes Store, and Cirque du Soleil, some of whose most daring performers will make their debut appearance at the July 4th extravaganza.

Tickets to Stadium of Fire 2013 will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, April 3, at 8 a.m., and will be sold simultaneously online at www.stadiumoffire.com, www.byutickets.com and at the BYU Marriott Center ticket office in Provo. Members of the Freedom Festival’s email list will have the option to purchase tickets before the general public, so fans are encouraged to visit www.freedomfestival.org to sign up for advance ticket opportunities.

Kelly Clarkson is known worldwide for her powerful vocals and record-breaking radio hits. Clarkson originally wowed the nation in 2002 when she won the first season of American Idol. Her first Grammy Award came in 2004 when she won Best Pop Vocal Album for Breakaway and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her smash single “Since U Been Gone”. Clarkson’s 2011 album Stronger won Best Pop Vocal Album at February’s 55th Grammy Awards, making her the first and only artist to win the award twice. The album also produced the major singles “Mr. Know It All” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”. Last year VH1 ranked Clarkson 19th on its list of “100 Greatest Women in Music.”

Clarkson has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had ten singles in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of two Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, one Country Music Association Award and 12 Billboard Music Awards.

Carly Rae Jespen’s “Call Me Maybe” was nominated for two Grammy Awards and was named 2012’s “Song of the Year” by MTV. Her most recent album, Kiss, has received strong reviews from music critics and fans, with Allmusic calling it one of the best pop albums of 2012 and one of the top ten albums of the year.

“More than 400 million people have watched her on YouTube, and now Utah residents will see Carly Rae Jepsen in person at Stadium of Fire,” said Warner. “Carly is one of music’s most exciting new stars, and we’re so pleased to welcome her to Provo.”

But great music isn’t the only draw to Stadium of Fire 2013. Cirque du Soleil, the internationally acclaimed circus arts group, will wow the audience with a visually stunning acrobatic performance. The Quebec-based group is well known for its seven permanent Las Vegas shows and worldwide touring success. The group has been honored with numerous prizes and awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“In addition to superb performances by Kelly Clarkson and Carly Rae Jepsen, Cirque du Soleil brings some Las Vegas flair to our birthday celebration for America,” said Warner. “It’s going to be a spectacular performance!”

The night will also include the popular Stadium of Fire Dancers, the biggest stadium fireworks show in America, the spectacular return of the popular Skydive Utah parachute team and other fun surprises.

The Stadium of Fire event, now in its 33rd year, has grown to become one of the United States’ premier patriotic celebrations, attracting an average attendance of 40,000 people and televised live to over one million military men and women in more than 100 countries via the American Forces Network.

Stadium of Fire is presented by America’s Freedom Festival, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization supporting educational programs and events that promote freedom and democracy. For the ninth consecutive year, the event will be created, produced and directed by the award-winning production team of Baruch/Gayton Entertainment Group.

For additional interview opportunities, please contact Paul Warner at 801-735-8974 and Brett Walker, of the Freedom Festival board, at 801-361-6600.

For additional inquiries please contact Emory Cook, Communications Manager at the Freedom Festival, at 801-857-1839.