TV
‘A Capitol Fourth,’ ‘America Made In Virginia’ headline NMPBS Independence Day celebration lineup
New Mexico PBS to distribute the live program across the country
Michael Colbert knows how to work under pressure.
As the executive producer of “A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration,” he is aware that millions of Americans tune in to celebrate America’s independence.
During this year’s show, there’s the added pressure of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
“Two hundred and fifty,” Colbert says. “It’s such a historic milestone. What a time to celebrate and bring joy to our country. We love this time of year.”
Taking on this role has become a family tradition, his father —
Jerry Colbert — started the “Capitol Fourth” series in 1981.
“You have to get it right,” Colbert says. “That’s always been our goal.”
This year, “A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration” is a live broadcast from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 8 p.m. Friday, July 3. The broadcast will be shown via New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also be available to stream on the PBS app.
New Mexico PBS is taking on a bigger role this year as the station that distributes the program across the country.
Suzanne Kembel, NMPBS director of station operations, says the National Park Service wasn’t able to distribute the show this year and NMPBS stepped in.
“Most people aren’t aware that NMPBS is not only able to do it, but we do hundreds of hours of content and programs and distribute it to the rest of the country,” Kembel says. “We have a well-oiled machine here and are able to step in when we need to.”
In addition to the fireworks and performances, Colbert says country music icon Trace Adkins will make the exclusive television debut of his brand-new song “American Made,” an uplifting anthem honoring the patriotism, ideals and contributions of generations of Americans.
“I have been fortunate enough to have played a small part in several of the ‘A Capitol Fourth’ celebrations over my career,” Adkins says in a statement. “But to be invited to join the 250th birthday of our great country is an honor beyond all others.”
Colbert says to mark the nation’s 250th birthday, the finale will feature live fireworks over George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
“The fireworks will be the biggest display ever at the iconic home of America’s first president,” Colbert says. “What we’ve created is a family tradition. This year, we’re broadcasting a day early to kick off the celebration.”
Colbert says John Adams talked about Independence Day as our nation’s North Star.
“We researched it, and what people did was come together on July Fourth in joy and celebration,” Colbert says. “We are trying to offer people a time to celebrate who we are as a nation.”
In addition to “Capitol Fourth,” New Mexico PBS will also air “America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together,” at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
The two-hour program pays tribute to America’s semiquincentennial with live performances, historic interpretation, music, narration and large-scale visual spectacle that honors the past, engages the present, and helps inspire America’s future.
“America Made In Virginia” will feature Ken Burns, Judy Collins, Michael Feinstein, Ryan Speedo Green, Kelli O’Hara, Richard Thomas, Adrienne Warren, Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, Virginia Chorale and more.
The show culminates with a fireworks and drone display set to a patriotic score performed by the ϼ States Air Force Heritage of America Band.
Adrian Gomez is a freelance writer for the ϼ. He works for the New Mexico Film Office, focusing on industry research.
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