‘Spirit of Freedom’ pageant project gains momentum in Manti and beyond

Building the team and music foundation
Armstrong says the leadership has expanded team to include David Mackey, author of “Rattlesnakes and Axe-heads: A History of Sanpete County Utah,” as vice president; James G. Malone, former CEO of Kaiser Permanente, as board member and director of strategic development; and Suzanne Black as secretary, to name a few. He said the additions bring credibility and experience to the nonprofit structure.
The production’s music, composed by musician Hamish Reeves, now includes 38 completed scores encompassing songs and orchestral sequences. Reeves has finished orchestrating 23 of those and continues refining the remainder. Armstrong described the compositions as “absolutely beautiful” and said the completed pieces demonstrate the high production quality the Spirit of Freedom is working toward.
Fundraising and outreach
The prospective pageant has raised $8,800 and is approaching the group’s first benchmark of $10,000. Donations have come from local individuals and businesses, including $5,000 from Barclay Mechanical. The group has applied for additional grants through organizations such as the Eccles Foundation.
The Spirit of Freedom website and social media have had increased traffic following coverage on Fox 13 News, KUER and more, as well as a fireside event in August that featured speakers from other pageants, including Brent Boswell, creator of the Mormon Handcart Pageants.
Demonstration performance planned
Armstrong said plans are underway for a local demonstration of one of the pageant’s key scenes between now and January. The scene will be directed by Trinity Grace, who recently joined the effort.
Admission will be free, with optional donations to support further development.
The group hopes the preview will rally additional community interest and demonstrate the project’s artistic and spiritual potential.
“People need to see it for themselves,” Armstrong said. “Once they do, I think they’ll realize this is something special.”
Vision for production and long-term goals
The current plan calls for the Spirit of Freedom Pageant to debut at the Sanpete County Fairgrounds, running two to three nights in its first year, with tickets projected at $20 each.
Organizers say the venue can seat 5,000 per performance. Even modest attendance, Armstrong said, would generate enough revenue to fund future productions.
If the debut proves successful, the group hopes to expand to five nights the following year and eventually tour other locations.
Message and community support
Armstrong said donations increased this fall as interest in themes of faith and free expression grew nationally.
“People are realizing that religious liberty is something we can’t take for granted,” he said. “This pageant isn’t about one church; it’s about everyone’s right to believe and express their faith freely.”
The project has faced little local opposition of any kind, and Armstrong said city and county officials have been cooperative and encouraging.
“Our goal is to build something lasting here,” Armstrong said. “Something that reflects both the spiritual foundation and the community spirit that define Manti.”
The Spirit of Freedom Pageant and Freedom Through Christ are continuing to raise funds and recruit volunteers through their websites, spiritoffreedompageant.com and freedomthroughchrist.org.