Shelley Beatty

Living Life and Loving It

Pioneer Celebration in Salt Lake City

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Pioneer Celebration in Salt Lake City

Pioneers exodus to Utah

Pioneers exodus to Utah

The 24th of July is a MAJOR holiday in Utah…it commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and other locations in the eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event.

2016 Pioneer Day Concert with the King’s Singers-Music for a Summer Evening


We had great seats thanks to my son-in-law Adam, who went and stood in line as soon as the tickets became available…Thanks Adam!

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

2016 Pioneer Day Concert

And then we dashed to Jennifer’s home and sat on her front lawn-front row seats- and watched the fireworks!

THE PARADE SALT LAKE CITY JULY 24th CELEBRATION 2016

To get an unblocked view of the parade we headed to the parade route at 4:00 a.m.!  AND we barely found an a spot that had not already been taken!!!  More and more people are camping out overnight to watch the parade.  We found the last existing spot right in front of the bike racks on the west side of the Public Library…since we knew we would be moving into the street up to the “parade line-painted on the street”  we grabbed the spot and prepared to celebrate!

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

 

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

Pioneer Day Parade 2016

FLOATS, ANTIQUE CARS, HORSES AND MARCHING BANDS:

 

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah

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My daughter-in-law and I headed to the parade route about 4:00 am to stake out a front row seat (hopefully).  Lot’s of people camp out over night!  We started at the beginning of the parade and started down the parade route.  After a block or so we found the perfect spot on the shady side of the street.  We put out our chairs and blankets to claim our spot and then sat back to relax until the others arrived and the parade started.

Staking out our spot 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

Staking out our spot 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

President Erying

President Erying 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

President Erying 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

President Erying 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

President Erying 24th of July Parade Days of 47 Salt Lake City Utah 2015

And the parade

24th of July Parade, Floats, Horses, Antique Cars and Marching Bands!! What more could one want? (Salt Lake City 2012)

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The 24th of July dawned bright and beautiful.  The 24th of July in Utah is a State wide holiday to celebrate the arrival of the Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. And the 24th could not have been more perfect for the parade which is an annual affair.

According to Days of ’47 Inc. “This trek of the early Utah pioneers exemplifies the courage, foresight, and faith that continue to inspire modern-day pioneers. By remembering those remarkable 1847 pioneers and all those who followed, The Days of ’47 seeks to make their accomplishments and hardships live today through a variety of activities and celebrations each year. We believe the example of past and present pioneers’ courage is a beacon to the world.”

The parade was first held on July 24, 1849. It was then known as the “Pioneer Days Parade” up until 1931. From 1931 to 1946 the parade was known as the “Covered Wagon Days Parade”. Since 1947 the parade has been known by its current name. It is one of the largest and oldest parades west of the Mississippi. It is about 3 hours long.

Although many people camp out to get a good spot, Adam went down to the parade route in the very, very early hours of the morning and reserved (spread out our blankets) for us a great spot. Jen and I later brought the kids down (all ready for the parade in their pioneer hats) so they would not have to wait too long. A very big treat for us this year was our friends, Linda and Shelley Esplin joined us in watching the parade. Making it the perfect fun day!

and the floats, oh the beautiful floats:

Links to more on Salt Lake City.

http://shelleybeatty.com/holidays/days-of-47-pioneer-day-utah-style/

http://shelleybeatty.com/life/travel/salt-lake-city-for-family-fun/

http://shelleybeatty.com/life/travel/fun-in-salt-lake-city/

The best 24th of July with family!!

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Scott Esplin, his fiance Becca and Shelley Esplin

 

 

 

but the float doctor came to the rescue.

The Jewish float had trouble and smoke started billowing….

I think this will be one of my favorite 24th of July, with family watching a parade in memory of the pioneers!!  Here we are sitting on the asphalt watching the parade.  Henry is in my lap, Jen next to me and Becca in her dad’s lap (Adam).  It was a beautiful day.

Henry, Me, Jen, Becca and Adam, parade watching!

Henry, Adam and Becca watching parade. Shelley Esplin is in the background.

Parade! Floats! Horses! Bands! 24th of July!!!

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And one more float....

 

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful float in the parade.

Rider on two horses.

Another beautiful float in the parade.

There were many beautiful floats in the parade.  Most were made by one of the Utah Stakes.  I was amazed at the complexity of the floats and began to wonder if “float builder” was a church calling in the SLC Stakes????

One of the many beautiful floats in the 24th parade.