Hill Cumorah returns to Palmya in July

In just a matter of days, the roles will be cast, the stages set and a rural New York hillside will become home to one of the world’s largest outdoor theatrical productions, the Hill Cumorah Pageant. This year’s performances are July 11th & 12th and 15th – 19th. Presented annually by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, performances begin nightly at 9:00pm with seating for over 7,000.The Pageant kicks off with its opening performance on Friday, July 11th at dusk. The Pageant is free and family-friendly. A theatrical miracle transpires when more than 750 volunteers are cast into 1,200 roles within hours of arriving just one week before opening night. The longest-running outdoor religious drama in the country, the first Hill Cumorah Pageant features just a handful of performers in rented costumes using car headlights as spotlights. Since 1937, the impressive annual Pageant has seen many changes in scenery, sound recordings, special effects and costumes. Water curtains for vision scenes, explosions, earthquakes and fire balls all make today’s outdoor drama exciting for audiences of all ages.“The Pageant is one of the great outdoor theatrical productions in the history of this country. Whether you are a person of faith or simply enjoy a spectacular production, you will be glad you came to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. This is a great way to spend a summer night under the stars,” says Dwight Schwendiman, President of the Hill Cumorah Pageant.Come early and visit with the costumed cast as they welcome the audience before each of the performances. If you haven’t seen the Pageant, make this the year you do! The Hill Cumorah is located on Highway 21, two miles north of I-90, exit 43. Parking and admission are free. Headsets are provided for Spanish translation and ASL interpretation is provided as well. For more information, please call 315-597-58511, visit www.hillcumorah.org or find us on Facebook.