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Sam Penrod ReportingDespite the fire burning east of Nephi, the show will go on for the annual Mormon Handcart Pageant in Nephi.
Presented inside the Juab County Fairgrounds, it tells of the story of the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies and their difficult journey on their way to Utah in 1856.
Brent Boswell says, "This is the sixth year of the Mormon Handcart Pageant, and we estimate we've had 72,000 people attend over those six years, so we feel good about that."
All of the cast members are volunteers, and most come from the local area.
Cast member Paden Smith says, "I actually play one of the rescue party members. I'm one of the river guides who carry the Martin Company over the river."
Cast members find it rewarding to be involved in a community effort.
Cast member Paden Smith says, "It's been fun. I've met a lot of awesome people here, and the experience has definitely been a positive one."
Now the cast is ready to welcome an audience of about 4,000 each night.
Boswell says, "We just want to invite everyone down to see the pageant. It's different than any of the other pageants around. It's something that if you haven't seen it before, come down and see it."
The Handcart Pageant begins tonight and runs every night through Saturday. It begins at 9:00 and is free. There is also food and displays from the Old West in Nephi each evening before the pageant.
