Hannity is fired up to emcee at stadium

PROVO — Sean Hannity just can't get enough of Utah.

While appearing at last year's America's Freedom Festival at Provo, the politically conservative radio and television talk show host was struck with Happy Valley fever.

"(Provo) is a Norman Rockwell painting," Hannity said on his radio show after last year's Independence Day festival. "There is an innocence. It is everything good."

With such a rave review, it should come as no surprise that Hannity has agreed to make a second appearance.

Hannity, whose show is heard weekdays by an estimated 14 million people, will be the master of ceremonies at this year's Stadium of Fire, a fireworks show and concert that will be held July 3 at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"Hannity will be back. He will be hosting the show," festival director Carl Bacon told the Deseret Morning News on Monday.

Hannity again will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Grand Parade on University Avenue in addition to hosting the Stadium of Fire, Bacon said.

Bacon said that festival organizers wanted Hannity to return this year after he helped bring record crowds to last year's Freedom Festival events.

Hannity gladly accepted Bacon's second invitation — and has plugged the annual patriotic festival several times on his radio show, heard locally on KSL Newsradio 1160 AM.

During his show Thursday, a woman identified as "Julie from Provo" asked Hannity if he planned to return this year to the festival. Without hesitation, Hannity enthusiastically confirmed his return and said he would bring his wife and kids along for the big event.

"It is so unbelievable what we have planned," Hannity said.

He wouldn't discuss the official plans for the 2004 patriotic party, but he promised that this year's Stadium of Fire would be bigger and better than last year.

Country singer and television actress Reba McEntire is expected to be the headliner for this year's Stadium of Fire concert.

Bacon wouldn't confirm her appearance, but the entertainer's Web site — www.reba.com — lists a July 3 stop at BYU's football field — the traditional venue of the Stadium of Fire.