Remarks from the Unforgettable Big Band on July 3, 2026 at the Valencia Ballroom: 

My name is Michael Kirk, and I'm the Assistant Director of the Unforgettable Big Band, but tonight I'm also wearing another hat as one of the two co-chairs of this event. The other being my good friend, and one of our three incredible vocalists, Jim Scofield. 

We certainly didn't do this alone and there are many people to thank. I'll ask you to please hold your applause until the end — and then you can give it all at once.

Our volunteers — the folks working admissions and merch sales tonight who gave up their evening so that yours could be seamless. To our director Lindy Mack, and every musician on this stage — Lindy has led this band with everything he has, and these musicians show up night after night with the same passion and commitment to this community that they did tonight.

To the dancers on the dancefloor: As a musician, there is nothing better than playing for a room that actually moves. You have made every musician on this stage feel exactly like they should tonight.

Our Platinum sponsors. Rutter's Children's Charities, Inc. supports charitable organizations that promote the success of the communities where Rutter's operates. Through grants and partnerships, the organization invests in programs that improve the lives of children and families across the region, supporting education, health, safety, and community well-being. 

Explore York is the official tourism promotion agency for York County, marketing the destination to visitors to drive overnight stays, generate economic impact, and strengthen our local economy. Tourism supports local businesses, provides tax relief for residents, and fosters community pride. Through their work, Explore York connects visitors with authentic York County experiences while creating meaningful impact across the community. 

Our Gold sponsors — Production Express, Inc., who you can thank for the incredible sound tonight, and Lamar Advertising, whose billboard support helped get the word out across York County.

And our Community sponsors — The Yorktowne Hotel, the Cultural Alliance of York, Downtown Inc., Glatfelter Insurance, Heritage Valley Federal Credit Union, Elephat Printing and Design, and Maple Donuts. 

And most importantly – why we’re here tonight – to every veteran and first responder in this room and across the land. Without your sacrifices for this community and this country, we would not be where we are today. We thank you, and we salute you.

We received official proclamations and letters of commendation recognizing tonight's event — from the Mayor of York Sandie Walker, from the York County Board of Commissioners including Julie Wheeler, Governor Josh Shapiro, and Congressman Scott Perry. Local. State. Federal. These people don't always see eye to eye. But every one of them understood what was happening here tonight and said, this matters. I think that's remarkable.

Tomorrow, America turns 250. And years from now, if someone asks where you were the night before — you were here. In this ballroom. With this band. With this community. Dancing. Celebrating. Honoring the people who made, and continue to make, this country worth celebrating.

On behalf of Jim Scofield, the Unforgettable Big Band, and everyone who made tonight possible — thank you.