Utah County Democratic Party officials say that the hiring of Glenn Beck - a CNN talk-show host with outspoken conservative views - to serve as a master of ceremonies sends an overt political message that may not be shared by everyone attending the event at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium.

And in so doing, Democrats argue, Stadium of Fire organizers have once again crossed the partisan line. Fox News conservative firebrand Sean Hannity hosted the event in 2003 and 2004.

"It was a pretty clear implication on the part of the organizers that Sean Hannity, a partisan - a very shrill and partisan voice of the right - was somehow now representative of the values of the Stadium of Fire and the organizing committee," said Larry Brown, vice chairman of the Utah County Democrats.

"And by implication, anybody who disagreed with those political views was not represented there."

But Stadium of Fire organizers dispute the idea that any political message is being sent.

Rather, they say, it is Beck's passionate backing of U.S. troops that drew event officials to him. Wednesday's concert and fireworks show was broadcast to military posts in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"We cast Glenn Beck specifically because he's been very supportive of the troops, and as we're broadcasting our show to the troops and [because] he's specifically hosting the segment where we are speaking to the troops, he was selected," said Brad Pelo, the Stadium of Fire's senior executive producer.

The choice drew one of Beck's fans, Orem resident Janice Helmick. But, she agrees the event should be apolitical.

"We should focus on America and freedoms, and we can do that without being political," said Helmick.

Pelo said organizers are sensitive to charges of partisanship. After Hannity hosted the event for two straight years, event officials switched to a multiple-host format because "we recognize that perception creates reality in the mind of the public."

Lynn Forakis, Heber City, said he has been to about five Stadium of Fires, and said he doesn't come to hear about politics.

"This is a celebration of America," he said.

Beck shared master of ceremonies duties with actress Regina Taylor and comedian Fred Willard.

Still, Utah County Democratic Party chairman Richard Davis said the Stadium of Fire could easily dispense of any partisan flavor simply by bringing in hosts who have no political strings attached.

Basically, Davis said, "we wanted to blunt the idea that a particular ideology had a monopoly on patriotism, on the celebration of American values," he said.

On that much, Stadium of Fire producer Pelo said he agrees.

"It should be a day to unite us as a community," he said. "It should be a day to celebrate what we have in common, which is our heritage."

If so, Davis, a political science professor at BYU, said that the sentiment will have to wait until next year. He remains unconvinced there were no political motives attached to this year's master of ceremonies choice.

"Glenn Beck has been invited. There is no way to change that," he said.

bholmes@sltrib.com