STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, Happy Birthday America, an official VA250 Commemorative Partner, has announced that Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Fortune will headline Staunton’s Semiquincentennial Independence Day concert on July 4 at Gypsy Hill Park.

Fortune, a legendary member of the Statler Brothers, will perform alongside the acclaimed country duo Wilson Fairchild, composed of Wil and Langdon Reid, sons of Statler Brothers members Harold and Don Reid. The concert is free and open to the public.

For more than two decades, the Statler Brothers transformed Staunton into a national destination every Fourth of July, drawing crowds exceeding 100,000 and setting the standard for patriotic musical celebration. In 2018, Wilson Fairchild carried forward this tradition, continuing the Happy Birthday America legacy by blending family ties, music, and Americana spirit.

The 2026 celebration will mark a historic milestone, America’s Semiquincentennial, with expanded programming, cherished traditions, and new opportunities for the community to commemorate the nation’s history. Signature events include the concert, a patriotic parade, a pageant, and family-focused activities.

Event Highlights

  • Free Main Stage Concert: Jimmy Fortune and Wilson Fairchild perform at 7:30 p.m. on July 4 at Gypsy Hill Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
  • Grand Fireworks Finale: A spectacular display will light up the Staunton sky following the concert.
  • Semiquincentennial Parade: A large-scale procession with marching bands, floats, military units, and community organizations.
  • Kickoff Event: Inspirational messages, gospel and patriotic music, and a performance by 2025 IBMA New Artists of the Year, bluegrass group Red Camel Collective.
  • Family Traditions: Happy Birthday America pageant, local food and artisan vendors, a 5K race, and a full carnival midway.

About the Artists

Jimmy Fortune spent 21 years with the Statler Brothers, creating iconic hits such as “Elizabeth,” “My Only Love,” and “Too Much on My Heart.” A multi-talented singer-songwriter and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Fortune continues to perform across the country in country, gospel, and patriotic genres.

Wilson Fairchild, the duo of Wil and Langdon Reid, brings traditional country harmonies with a modern energy. Their third album, American Songbook, showcases their skillful blend of heritage and contemporary sound, making them a perfect complement to Fortune on July 4.

About Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America is a nonprofit dedicated to hosting a free, large-scale Independence Day celebration in Staunton, Virginia. As an official VA250 Commemorative Partner, the organization brings together the Shenandoah Valley community through patriotic parades, live music, family activities, and local vendors to celebrate the founding principles of the United States.

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