Rexburg hosting annual Thanksgiving Celebration at tabernacle
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The following is a news release from the Rexburg Thanksgiving program.
REXBURG — The City of Rexburg invites the entire community to feast upon uplifting music and messages during its traditional Thanksgiving morning program at 10 a.m. Thursday. The celebration will be held at the historic Rexburg Tabernacle, despite the renovations being done in and on the century-old building.
“Where else could we have this wonderful annual Thanksgiving celebration?,” says Anna Bjornn, program coordinator. “The Tabernacle fills with friends and neighbors who like to remember what this holiday is all about and pause to enjoy the hour of music and messages of gratitude.”
The community choir, which has been rehearsing for six weeks under the direction of Paul Busselberg of the Brigham Young University-Idaho music faculty, will present the majority of the program. Rachel Keppner, a music and theater teacher at Madison Junior High School will provide a seasonal narration.
Other musical numbers will include a cello solo by Christian Allen; a vocal duet by Shane and Sadie Steel; a brass ensemble; and Kobin Harris, an 11-year-old organist from Salem, playing the 100-year-old Austin organ.
Two of the choral numbers are composed and arranged by Busselberg.
Accompanists for the choir are Darian Larsen and Brendon Wheeler, with a small string ensemble assisting and other instruments to add variety to the program.
A beloved community tradition
This traditional program has its beginnings in the early 70’s when John Thompson offered an hour of thanksgiving messages for his church group.
In 1992 the City of Rexburg took on sponsorship after Thompson’s retirement and has continued the musical gathering for the people of the Upper Valley. The program is free and offers a place and way to celebrate a needful holiday in stressful times.
Bring family, friends and neighbors to feast together.
“We’ve been coming here on Thanksgiving morning for more than 30 years now,” Bjornn said. “… It is as nourishing as the feasting of food.”