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SANDY -- Dozens of floats are on display as they wait to ride down the Days of '47 Parade route on Saturday.
More than 30 floats are on display at the South Towne Expo Center, each reflecting the parade theme of "Pioneer Spirit, Then and Now."
Many families and a lot of kids are at the Expo Center looking at the floats, getting an up-close-and-personal view of what they will see hitting the Salt Lake streets on Saturday.
They're also voting for their favorite floats. The one with the most votes will be named People's Choice and win an award at the annual parade.
One of the floats drawing a lot of attention features seven seagulls collecting crickets. Dave Walker with the Murray Utah Parkway Stake, one of the creators of the float, spoke with KSL about the symbolism behind the creatures.
"For this event we have 163 crickets, and that represents one cricket a year for every year since they (the pioneers) came here in 1847," Walker said. "Then on the actual parade we'll have 114 crickets. That will represent one cricket for each year since statehood, which was 1896."
Not only have many members of the LDS stake put countless hours into the preparation of the float, but many more will be involved on the day of the parade. Several were actually in the gloat at the Expo Center during the preview event, making the seagulls move.
Admission to the preview event is free. Doors on Monday close at 9 p.m. but the event will open again Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Attendees will be asked to fill out a ballot and weigh in on their favorite float.
E-mail: bwalker@ksl.com
