By Jeffrey Chandler
Ever since the first pioneer company entered the Salt Lake Valley and Brigham Young proclaimed, “This is the place,” Utahns have celebrated July 24 with parades, fireworks, dancing, and good family fun.
For those looking for large crowds, huge entertainment and plenty to do, Salt Lake City”s annual Days of ”47 offers all of this at reasonable prices, or none at all.
A few of the festivities have already begun, but the majority run starting a week before the 24th and run through the holiday.
The ever-popular Days of ”47 rodeo will run at the Delta Center July18, 21 and 23 at 7 p.m., and on July 24 at 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to recreate the old west, or just looking to have a ”hoe down” good time is sure to be entertained by some of the top cowboys and cowgirls from around the world coming to compete for $140,000 in prize money.
Rob Semts, eight-time world champion bull fighter, and Utah”s own Marty Martak will be among those providing thrills and spills each evening, according to the Days of ”47 Web site.
For those of who cannot wait for the rodeo, and are beating their heels to a two-step beat, they will find all the country excitement they need at the “Great American Wild West Show,” which will be at the Delta Center for two performances in the Delta Center on July 21 at 1:30 p.m. and July 22 at 5:30 p.m. This is the same type of show that made Buffalo Bill famous years ago.
Some may wish to see cowboys, horses and cattle in still frame. If that is more comfortable, Days of ”47 has displays of fine western art.
The committee will sponsor a fine arts show in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on July 20 to 21 and July 23 to 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On exhibit will be quality pioneer and western art, accompanied by more than 40 Utah master artists participating in this year”s show.
To most Americans running is a necessary evil, but for the few and elite athletes that enjoy this activity, the 30th Annual Deseret News Marathon and 16th Annual 10K Road Race are sure to fit their fancy, the Web site said.
The marathon runs from the Wasatch Mountains to the valley of the Great Salt Lake, providing the 1,000 runners with fantastic views. The last two miles of the 10K runs along the parade route where participants are cheered on by the parade goers. Those wishing to participate should contact Salt Lake County Recreation.
The majesty of the floats, the synthesis of the brass and percussion, the clowns, and the beauty queens, all are part of the annual parade, which draws hundreds of thousands to the streets of Salt Lake City on July 24.
Anticipating the community”s excitement for this event, the Days of ”47 committee will sponsor a parade preview, giving the parade”s avid fans the chance to get an up-close view of the floats together with bands, clowns, floats, and much more. This will take place on July 21 from noon to 5 p.m.
Not wanting to leave the kids out of the celebration, the committee will sponsor a youth parade, July 21 at 10 a.m., which will run through downtown.
With all of this parade excitement, the Days of ”47 grand parade is one of the largest and oldest parades in the United States, according to the Days of ”47 Web site.
It features a variety of floats, bands, beauty queens, politicians and just about every kind of entry that could be expected. The parade route starts at South Temple and Main Street, turns east to 200 East, then south to 900 South, and finally east, again, ending on 600 East at Liberty Park.
When the sun begins to set on the July 24, and just when everything is set to wind down, Liberty Park will be the site of the day”s finale, the fireworks show. What would an American celebration be without fireworks? Officials recommend early arrival to secure good seating on the grass.
Nothing is better than watching baseball and fireworks in the summer and this Pioneer Day, the two are combined into one venue as the Salt Lake Stingers host Edmonton followed by fireworks at Franklin Covey Field, the Days of ”47 Web site said.
The Days of ”47 celebration is available for those who desire big time entertainment; however, Utah County offers plenty for those wishing not to travel or fight the big crowds.
Spanish Fork Fiesta Days begin July 20 with the kickoff of the PRCA Rodeo, which runs every night through July 24, and brings top-notch cowboys to town.
Fiesta Days also sponsors a carnival July 21, 23, and 24 for those who do not require motion sickness medicine, or those who take it and worry about the effects later.
Other events include the children”s parade and rodeo dance July 21; a fireside Sunday with Thurl Bailey; a craft show and car show and the Speedy Spaniard 10K Road Race on Pioneer Day.
Entertainers and a music festival will carry on activities on the July 24 until fireworks will be displayed at the rodeo that night at 10:30 p.m.
As American as the Fourth of July and as Utahn as Brigham Young, seems to be the inclusion of country music at summertime festivals. This year is no different as American Fork”s annual Steel Days Celebration features Bryan White and fireworks on July 21. The gates open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 at American Fork High School.
The annual street dance is scheduled for July 18 from 8:30 p.m. until midnight, and the carnival runs July 19 to 21 at Robinson Park on Main Street.
Mapleton City also hosts Pioneer Day celebrations, including breakfast in the park, a 5K run, the parade, games in the park and a youth dance.
Whatever the activity of choice is to celebrate Pioneer Day and wherever it takes place, there is sure to be plenty of fun, fireworks and entertainment available for all.
