CHAMBER EVENTS Pillar of the Valley For decades, Alan and Suzanne Osmond have worked to provide family-oriented entertainment, job opportunities, charitable assistance and more to their neighbors and friends in the Utah Valley community and those in need worldwide. In recognition of their efforts, the Osmonds will be presented with the Pillar of the Valley award during an award gala Nov. 16 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo. Hosted by the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pillar of the Valley award gala was created to honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the business, civic, social, educational and cultural climate of Utah Valley. Previous honorees include John Valentine, the Woodbury Family, Rebecca D. Lockhart, Steven R. Covey, Wilford Clyde, Dallin H. Oaks and former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. While the musical talents of Alan Osmond and his family members are famous worldwide, the most well-known contribution Alan and Suzanne have made to the Utah Valley area is arguably the Stadium of Fire. Held annually at LaVell Edwards Stadium as part of America’s Freedom Festival at Provo, this patriotic production features major musical performers and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza. The Stadium of Fire was created to replace a smaller event being held at the stadium as part of the Freedom Festival. “They were going to close it; they weren’t getting very big crowds,” Alan said. Then Carl Bacon, a member of the Freedom Festival’s board of trustees, suggested the Osmonds take over the event and move it to the next level. Alan and his brother Merrill Osmond accepted the challenge in 1980, and the Stadium of Fire has continued ever since as one of the largest patriotic events in the nation. “We represent God, family, freedom and country,” Alan said. “It’s not something that you just go hear; it’s something you go see. It’s an experience. It’s something unexpected, and that’s why it’s so great.” From the beginning, Alan wanted a show that was big, highly visual and appealed to all ages. “I also said it needed a new name,” he said, adding that “Stadium of Fire” popped into his head during a brainstorming session. With fire in mind, he went to the Provo Fire Department and asked for advice. He was invited to the controlled burn of a house where he saw flames shoot out of a “fire tree” hooked up to a propane tank. His follow-up question: “Can we make it bigger?” This was the origin of the large torches that have burned brightly during the Stadium of Fire while accompanied by the event’s theme song, which was written by Alan. After the event’s inaugural year, Merrill suggested that Alan, as the “Dick Clark of the Osmonds,” was the one that needed to own and run the show. As a result, Alan and Suzanne took over full responsibility for the Stadium of Fire in 1981. Alan used his network in the entertainment business to attract big stars to perform at the event. Suzanne said for several years, the family had to travel to Canada immediately after the Provo show because their sons, who were performing as The Osmonds - Second Generation, were scheduled to appear at the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada. “I would have a motor home ready 40 • Utah Valley Chamber • www.thechamber.org
Alan & Suzanne Osmond
Pillar of the Valley Award Gala Nov. 16, 2021 7 to 9 p.m. Utah Valley Convention Center Tickets: thechamber.org
Pimmie Lopez Event Chair
