The U.S. Army’s 82^nd Airborne All-American Chorus swoops into town on the wings of song tomorrow night.

The chorus performs at the Southside High School auditorium at 7 p.m. as part of a list of events celebrating Beaufort County’s 300^th anniversary.

The concert is free and open to the public.

County Manager Randell Woodruff has heard the group live, and suggested bringing the chorus to Beaufort County in the early planning stages for the 300^th anniversary celebration.

“Having heard them several times before, I was familiar with them, and thought it would be something the public would enjoy,” said Woodruff. “It’s just outstanding entertainment — you don’t think that kind of talent would be found in your Army Airborne folks.”

The 82^nd Airborne All-American Chorus got its start in 1967, an informal group that got together to sing at Sunday services in the Division Chapel. Four decades later, the chorus has members representing every unit in the 82^nd Airborne Division. The a cappella group has sung for governors and legislators, at professional ball games and Armed Forces balls, and now the chorus known as “ambassadors of the 82^nd Airborne Division, performing throughout the continental U.S., will perform in Chocowinity.

Penny Sermons, head of the 300^th anniversary committee, said the All-American Chorus is a natural fit for the fall line up of anniversary events — a chance for county residents to rally in a show of patriotism to support our troops and bring culture and unique entertainment to Beaufort County at the same time.

Southside High School was the chosen venue, as the 300^th committee hoped to locate special events across the county. Northside High School will host the Elizabeth City State University Chorus later in the fall, while the main 300^th anniversary celebration will take place on the Washington waterfront on Sept. 22. That date will hold an all-day festival that includes oral histories, Civil War re-enactments, gospel choirs and performances by the Craig Woolard Band and the North Carolina Symphony, topped off by fireworks over the Pamlico River.

While the events of Sept. 22 will run from noon to 9 p.m., tomorrow’s performance by the singing members of the 82^nd Airborne Division will be an hour-long show, packed with patriotic and popular music.

Southside High School is located at 5700 N.C. Highway 33 East, Chocowinity.