A Capitol Fourth

Tucson, Arizona – June 25, 2014 – This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration will kick off the festivities for our country’s 238th birthday with an all-star salute led by our country’s favorite host, two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”). The 34th annual broadcast will air live at 5 p.m. on PBS 6 from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and will feature performances by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frankie Valli; Grammy Award-winning music legend Patti LaBelle; the Muppets; multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks; Phil Phillips; five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael McDonald; country music superstar Sara Evans; singer-songwriter Kendall Schmidt from “Big Time Rush” and “Heffron Drive”; and five-time Tony Award nominee and Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. Encore broadcasts of the program will air at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on July 4 and on July 5 at 10 a.m.

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will be on hand to celebrate America’s birthday and perform the Oscar-nominated song “Rainbow Connection.” “I love Washington D.C. Not only was it built on a swamp, but this is where I got my start in show business – on a local TV show in 1955,” said Kermit the Frog. “Being in D.C. is like coming home!”

“Moi is thrilled to be part of this glorious patriotic celebration,” adds Miss Piggy, who insists she’s ready for all the pomp and pageantry. “Let’s face it, wherever I go there’s usually fireworks.”

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of our national anthem, five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams will debut a special arrangement for orchestra and chorus of the “Star Spangled Banner” with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Joint Armed Forces Chorus, the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets.

For a complete concert talent line-up visit pbs.org.