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A little-known piece of Utah trivia is that the original Osmond Brothers began performing so that they could raise money to help their deaf brothers, Virl and Tom Osmond.
More than a half-century later, the lead singer of the Osmond Brothers, Merrill Osmond, is once again raising money to help those with hearing loss, while entertaining Utahns throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
Merrill Osmond, with support from his sons, Justin and Shane, will produce the Youth Pioneer Pageant on July 20, 21, 23 and 24, with proceeds earmarked for the Olive Osmond Perpetual Hearing Fund, a nonprofit founded in 2010 in honor of the family's late matriarch.
The four-day event at the West Jordan Arena will feature top-tier performers along with more than 1,000 children and young adults sharing stories about Utah's settlers through dancing, singing and theatrical entertainment. Auditions will commence in March, Osmond said.
The event will be nondenominational, he said, as the pageant will also celebrate the contributions of Catholic missionaries, Greek and Italian pioneers, Chinese and Jewish settlers, and the American Indians of Utah.
"We want to portray the legacy of what happened here," said Justin Osmond, who was born 90 percent deaf.
The trio hopes the event becomes an annual event in Utah, similar to Provo's Independence Day celebration Stadium of Fire, which Merrill Osmond founded and originally served as executive director.
The Youth Pioneer Pageant will also feature wagons, handcarts, live animals and a large fireworks display at the end of each evening's program, In addition, a military fly-over has already been confirmed by the Pentagon. "It helps to know Orrin Hatch," Merrill said of the Utah senator.
Tickets will go on sale on April 23, and the prices for this family friendly event should be in the $10 to $20 range, Shane Osmond said.
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Twitter: @davidburger Merrill Osmond Presents:
Youth Pioneer Pageant
When • July 20, 21, 23 and 24, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. each night. The preshow with performers will begin at 7:30 p.m., while the pageant will commence at 8:30 p.m.
Where • West Jordan Arena, 8030 S. 2200 West, West Jordan
Tickets • Prices to be announced; on sale April 23
Information • For audition, ticket and entertainment lineup announcements, visit pioneerpageant.com