Spirit of America Festival
Encyclopedia
The Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free Fourth of July celebrations in the Southern United States
. The two day outdoor festival, set at Point Mallard Park
in Decatur, Alabama
, hosts a variety of traditional summer activities. The event is organized and staged by an all volunteer board.
The major highlights of the festival are the presentation of the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award, the presentation of the Barrett C. Shelton Award, the Miss Point Mallard pageant and also the presentation of one of North Alabama
’s largest aerial fireworks displays.
. The citizens of Decatur, AL, decided to show their support for the servicemen and women in Vietnam
, and to promote patriotism
in America through the presentation of an annual Fourth of July event.
Over 10,000 people gathered in a local high school stadium for the first Spirit of America Festival.
The next year, a Miss America
preliminary pageant was added to the festival’s line-up, now known as the Miss Point Mallard pageant, along with family games and other special events.
In the early 1970s an outdoor stage was constructed for the Spirit of America Festival at Point Mallard Park
, a local municipal park, owned and operated by the City of Decatur
.
Air Force Captain Gerald O. Young
, in his first speech given since receiving the Medal of Honor
for heroism in Vietnam
, directed a great tribute to the “American Soldier” to a gathering of over 20,000 people.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan
addressed a crowd of over 60,000 people at that year's festival.
’s most decorated soldier from World War II
, and Medal of Honor
recipient Audie Murphy
. Murphy, who was to have been the guest speaker at the 1971 Spirit of America Festival, died in a plane crash just two months prior to his scheduled appearance at the Festival. The award is now presented annually to an "outstanding American patriot" or "an outstanding group of individuals who most exemplify the true ‘Spirit of America.’"
Past recipients of the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award include: Vietnam Prisoner of War Charles J. Plumb, Brigadier General Hallett D. Edson, General Omar Bradley
, Alabama
Governor George C. Wallace, U.S. Senator James C. Allen, U.S. Senator John Sparkman
, U.S. astronaut John Young, Olympic track star Jesse Owens
, entertainer Johnny Cash
, U.S. Congressman Bob Jones
, Secretary of State Alexander Haig
; Vietnam veteran U.S. Senator Jeremiah A. Denton, U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond
, Iranian hostage Charles C. Scott, actor Gerald McRaney
, and U.S. Admiral Donald Whitmire
.
The Barrett C. Shelton Freedom Award was established in 1980 in honor of local newspaper publisher, Barrett C. Shelton, one of the founders of the Spirit of America Festival. The award is presented annually to honor an Alabamian for outstanding service to his/her community and state.
Notable past recipients include Henry Eugene “Red” Erwin
, U.S. Senator Howell Heflin
, and U.S. Representative Ronnie Flippo
.
In 1994 the H.J. Heimlich Humanitarian Award was added to the honors presented at the Spirit of America Festival. The plaque is presented to an individual or group who have saved or attempted to save another human being, or an individual or group who have significantly added to the betterment of all mankind. Dr. H.J. Heimlich
was the first recipient, followed by the United Service Organizations
.
The Miss Point Mallard pageant is one of the many preliminary pageants for the Miss America
scholarship pageant. The winner of the pageant advances to the Miss Alabama
pageant, along with receiving a variety of scholarship opportunities, gift certificates, and prizes.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. The two day outdoor festival, set at Point Mallard Park
Point Mallard Park
Point Mallard Park is a park in Decatur, Alabama. It sits on of the Flint Creek shoreline. The park also borders the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and is operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board. The park is open 365 days a year, and is owned and operated by the City of...
in Decatur, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
, hosts a variety of traditional summer activities. The event is organized and staged by an all volunteer board.
The major highlights of the festival are the presentation of the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award, the presentation of the Barrett C. Shelton Award, the Miss Point Mallard pageant and also the presentation of one of North Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
’s largest aerial fireworks displays.
History
The Spirit of America Festival began in 1967 as anti-Vietnam War protests grew throughout the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The citizens of Decatur, AL, decided to show their support for the servicemen and women in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, and to promote patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
in America through the presentation of an annual Fourth of July event.
Over 10,000 people gathered in a local high school stadium for the first Spirit of America Festival.
The next year, a Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
preliminary pageant was added to the festival’s line-up, now known as the Miss Point Mallard pageant, along with family games and other special events.
In the early 1970s an outdoor stage was constructed for the Spirit of America Festival at Point Mallard Park
Point Mallard Park
Point Mallard Park is a park in Decatur, Alabama. It sits on of the Flint Creek shoreline. The park also borders the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and is operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board. The park is open 365 days a year, and is owned and operated by the City of...
, a local municipal park, owned and operated by the City of Decatur
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
.
Air Force Captain Gerald O. Young
Gerald O. Young
Gerald Orren Young was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
, in his first speech given since receiving the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for heroism in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, directed a great tribute to the “American Soldier” to a gathering of over 20,000 people.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
addressed a crowd of over 60,000 people at that year's festival.
Special Events
The Audie Murphy Patriotism Award is named in honor of AmericaUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
’s most decorated soldier from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
. Murphy, who was to have been the guest speaker at the 1971 Spirit of America Festival, died in a plane crash just two months prior to his scheduled appearance at the Festival. The award is now presented annually to an "outstanding American patriot" or "an outstanding group of individuals who most exemplify the true ‘Spirit of America.’"
Past recipients of the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award include: Vietnam Prisoner of War Charles J. Plumb, Brigadier General Hallett D. Edson, General Omar Bradley
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley was a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
Governor George C. Wallace, U.S. Senator James C. Allen, U.S. Senator John Sparkman
John Sparkman
John Jackson Sparkman was an American politician from the state of Alabama. A conservative Southern Democrat, Sparkman served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate from 1937 until 1979. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President as Adlai Stevenson's running mate in...
, U.S. astronaut John Young, Olympic track star Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the...
, entertainer Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, U.S. Congressman Bob Jones
Robert E. Jones, Jr.
Robert E. Jones, Jr. was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th district of Alabama. He was the last to represent that district before it was removed as a result of the 1970 United States Census. Presently there are seven U.S. House districts in Alabama.-Early...
, Secretary of State Alexander Haig
Alexander Haig
Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. was a United States Army general who served as the United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
; Vietnam veteran U.S. Senator Jeremiah A. Denton, U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond
James Strom Thurmond was an American politician who served as a United States Senator. He also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1948 as the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party candidate, receiving 2.4% of the popular vote and 39 electoral votes...
, Iranian hostage Charles C. Scott, actor Gerald McRaney
Gerald McRaney
Gerald Lee "Mac" McRaney is an American television and movie actor. McRaney is best known as one of the stars of the television shows Simon & Simon, Major Dad, and Promised Land. He was a series regular for the first season of Jericho.-Early life:McRaney was born in Collins, Mississippi, the son...
, and U.S. Admiral Donald Whitmire
Don Whitmire
Donald Boone Whitmire was an American football tackle between 1941–1944 for the University of Alabama. In 1956, Whitmire was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame....
.
The Barrett C. Shelton Freedom Award was established in 1980 in honor of local newspaper publisher, Barrett C. Shelton, one of the founders of the Spirit of America Festival. The award is presented annually to honor an Alabamian for outstanding service to his/her community and state.
Notable past recipients include Henry Eugene “Red” Erwin
Henry E. Erwin
Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, Sr., was a United States Army Air Forces airman and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. He earned the award as a staff sergeant and radio operator aboard a B-29 Superfortress in the Asia-Pacific theater...
, U.S. Senator Howell Heflin
Howell Heflin
Howell Thomas Heflin was a United States Senator from Tuscumbia, Alabama, and a member of the Democratic Party.-Biography:...
, and U.S. Representative Ronnie Flippo
Ronnie Flippo
Ronnie Gene Flippo is a former United States Congressman from Alabama.Flippo was born August 15, 1937 in Florence, Alabama. He attended the University of North Alabama and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. This was followed up by a Masters degree in accounting from the University...
.
In 1994 the H.J. Heimlich Humanitarian Award was added to the honors presented at the Spirit of America Festival. The plaque is presented to an individual or group who have saved or attempted to save another human being, or an individual or group who have significantly added to the betterment of all mankind. Dr. H.J. Heimlich
Henry Heimlich
Dr. Henry Jay Heimlich , an American physician, has received credit as the inventor of abdominal thrusts, more commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver, though debate continues over his role in the development of the procedure...
was the first recipient, followed by the United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
.
The Miss Point Mallard pageant is one of the many preliminary pageants for the Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
scholarship pageant. The winner of the pageant advances to the Miss Alabama
Miss Alabama
The Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of Alabama in the Miss America pageant.Miss Alabamas have performed strongly at the Miss America pageant, particularly in the early 21st century, when the state produced their third Miss America, a first...
pageant, along with receiving a variety of scholarship opportunities, gift certificates, and prizes.