Singing Under the Stars: Palo Cedro karaoke night raises funds for Moms for Liberty
PALO CEDRO — Approximately 20 singers took the microphone Saturday night as Moms for Liberty Shasta County hosted “Stars, Stripes, and Karaoke” on a private ranch in the Palo Cedro area, turning a September evening into an outdoor mix of competition, comfort food, and a country setting.
The two-hour event ran from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 19. Contestants paid a $100 entry fee for a chance at the $1,000 grand prize. Spectators registered for free. The audience chose the winner by buying voting tokens — $5 each or five for $20 — with proceeds supporting the local chapter.
Margaret Hansen won the contest with an original song, “The Heart of a Hero.” Hansen wrote the piece in 1993, originally in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing. The song was later used in a video tribute to heroes of Shasta's Carr Fire. A recording is available on YouTube.
The full Shasta County chapter executive team attended: Chapter Chair Katie Gorman, Vice Chair Leslie Sawyer, Treasurer Arthur Gorman, Secretary Michelle (Renee) Tyson, Outreach Coordinator Darin Hale, and Membership Director Jaclyn La Barbera. Darin Hale also served as emcee. Several local candidates running on conservative platforms were also present.
The scene matched the rural setting. Music played outside while cows grazed nearby. Food included barbecue pork, nachos, and baked goods, with snacks and drinks also sold on site. Families and friends filled the ranch for an evening that mixed karaoke standards, an original tribute song, and a backyard-barbecue atmosphere.
Moms for Liberty Shasta County describes itself as dedicated to “the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.” The chapter says it welcomes parents, grandparents, and community members who value parental rights and frames its work around holding leaders accountable, opposing government overreach, promoting liberty, engaging on family issues, and encouraging liberty-minded people to seek public office. The national organization, founded in Florida in 2021 by Tiffany and Tina, now lists about 310 chapters in 48 states. Its website also features a parental-rights pledge that supporters can sign.
Saturday’s karaoke night doubled as a fundraiser and a community gathering. Hansen’s win, decided by the tokens the crowd purchased on the spot, closed the evening under the stars on the ranch.
