Celebration Choir Delights Crowd, Gayle Hillert Named 2026 Champion of Clifton Forge During Independence Day Festivities
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Clifton Forge, VA (July 3, 2026)— The Celebration Choir stepped atop some familiar bleachers once again this year for Clifton Forge's annual "Stars & Stripes Celebration." The two-day event was kicked off on July 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at the C&O Railway Heritage Center, where it has been held for the past several years now.
Many couples and families came out for the event to enjoy delicious food—like the ever-popular Shriner's Donuts— and take in the recognizable tunes sang by the Celebration Choir, led by Dale Muterspaugh. The choir sang several patriotic tunes including "God Bless America," "The Star-Spangled Banner," and "Proud to be an American."
During a short intermission, Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe took the microphone to honor this year's "Champion of Clifton Forge," a tradition that was only started in 2025 when Bill and Mott Atherholt were the first-ever winners. The award is designed to honor the person (or persons) who have donated their time and energy into the town of Clifton Forge. This year's winner was Gayle Hillert. Hillert has worked closely with the Historic Masonic Theatre in Downtown Clifton Forge for many years, currently serving as the Vice President on the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. She also previously served on the Clifton Forge Town Council as both a council member and Vice Mayor. | | |  | (L to R) Town Manager Chuck Unroe, Vice Mayor Dale Burdette, Mayor Jeff Irvine, and Councilwoman Debbie Laudermilk, all showed up to join in on the annual "Stars & Stripes Celebration" in Clifton Forge Friday night.
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