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SALT LAKE CITY -- Parades, performances and, of course, fireworks; it's been a memorable Pioneer Day, capped by fireworks at Liberty Park. It's been a hot holiday, but a relatively safe day.
Laura Williams has the best seat in the house. Her house is just across the street from the park where officials set off Pioneer Day fireworks. There's good food, good friends, and no traffic jam at the end of the night.
"There's so many people outside the fence, and inside it's a little oasis," she said.
The thousands not lucky enough to score an invitation wandered the boardwalk at Liberty Park, scouting out spots on hills. They watched the Native American celebration killed time.
The day's events started early this morning with the 40th annual Deseret News Marathon. Hundreds of runners and walkers took to the streets for the 10K race and 5K walk. When they crossed the finish line, they were cheered on by parade-goers anxiously waiting for the main event to start.
Allie Scott of Salt Lake City won the women's division with a time of two hours, 56 minutes and 41 seconds. David Yego of Kenya won the men's division in two hours, 25 minutes and 42.5 seconds.
Royalty, marching bands, covered wagons and of course floats paraded down South Temple. Our KSL 5 news team got into the pioneer spirit, pulled by a horse and wagon.
Government officials also took part in the parade. Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert waved to the crowd from the back of a convertible. So did Salt Lake County Sheriff James Winder, with the sheriff's posse following close behind on horseback.
In Ogden, more familiar faces were among the 120-plus entries. It was one of the largest parades ever, according to organizers.
Ogden's law enforcement say there were no major problems. The same is true in Salt Lake; however, the night is not yet over.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
