- Thousands gathered at Utah Capitol for a concert celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
- The event featured the Utah Symphony a National Guard flyover and Capitol lighting.
- Attendees shared wishes for the future; Nicole Handy highlighted statewide celebration efforts.
SALT LAKE CITY — On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Utahns reflected on the anniversary's meaning at the Utah Capitol as they took in an outdoor concert featuring the Utah Symphony.
Thousands gathered Friday night to enjoy the sounds and sights, which also featured a helicopter flyover by the Utah National Guard and a patriotic lighting of the Capitol.
America250 Utah Executive Director Nicole Handy said it was one of roughly 100 events planned for the weekend around Utah.
"We have been working for almost three years on this, and so it's so exciting to come to the anniversary and have so many events happening around the state," Handy said. "We have just been thrilled with the excitement around this state. We have about 150 municipalities who have stepped up, who have really seen this as an opportunity to highlight their communities' unique qualities and also just their part of the American story."
Several visitors and concertgoers left their "wishes for the next 250 years" on a community board, including Lorene Moore, who penned "peace, love and kindness."
"I love America," she said.
Lynn Sanderson said he was grateful for the peace and love the country currently offered.
"It's a very rare country compared to the world today," Sanderson said. "Hopefully it can stay that way for another 250 years."
The concert featured world-renowned violin soloist Aubree Oliverson, who said she was proud to be an American and was grateful for the opportunities the country provided her.
"I think it's a beautiful moment in history, and I feel grateful to be doing something that I love and maybe something that can give people joy and hope," Oliverson told KSL.
She said she enjoyed sharing with her music what words could not.
"In some ways, I think it's the deepest form of connection between people because it transcends every barrier — every single one," Oliverson said.
Handy said she could only imagine what memories would be forged from celebrations this weekend up through America's Potluck on Sunday.
"There are so many memories of the bicentennial," Handy said. "It has been one of our favorite things to talk about, and so this weekend people will be making those memories that they'll be able to say when we get to the tricentennial — even these young kids — 'Hey, I was at the Capitol,' or, 'I saw a drone show for the first time that weekend.' We're making memories as well."
