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SALT LAKE CITY — With the nation's birthday come and gone, Days of ′47 organizers have turned their sights on July's other Utah celebration.
The theme for this year is "Press Forward Pioneers," which Days of ′47 President Eric Jergensen said is meant to honor past, present and future individuals.
"There are pioneers in our midst," Jergensen said Friday at the Utah State Fairpark.
The Days of ′47 celebration, which began in April with the Royalty Pageant, picks up speed with two events this weekend and multiple others throughout July.
A number of events are happening around the state to help you celebrate Utah. Visit the Days of '47 website for details.
- The Days of ′47 KUTV Pops Concert will be held Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. at Abravanel Hall. The concert includes performances by the Choral Arts Society of Utah Master Chorale, American Heritage Lyceum Orchestra and featured guest Voice Male.
"It's our signature concert every year," said chorale conductor Sterling Poulsen. "It used to be a one-night event and it got so big we moved it to two nights."
Poulsen said the music for this year's show is a blend of Americana and Broadway tunes. Admission is free but tickets are required. Individuals without tickets will be seated as space allows after 7:15 p.m, but Poulsen said spacing will likely be limited.
"It's going to be a packed house," Poulsen said.
- Family Fun Day will be held Saturday at the Utah State Fairpark from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event has been moved from This Is the Place Heritage Park to the Utah State Fair Park to accommodate larger crowds and more activities, event chairman Ken Shields said.
The event will include carnival-style games, blow-up rides, crafts and entertainment for the families, Shields said, as well as a Mini King and Queen Competition held from noon to 2 p.m. Children will be interviewed by the Days of ′47 royalty and a king, queen and their attendants — a total of six children — will be selected to ride on a fire engine in the upcoming Youth Parade.
"It's a lot of fun for the royalty," Shields said. "They love interacting with the kids."
Family Fun Day is a free event. Families can bring food with them or items are available for purchase.
Other Days of ′47 Events include:
- The Pioneers of Progress Awards Dinner will be July 13 at the Little America Hotel. The cost is $50 per person.
- The Youth Parade and Youth Festival is slated for July 16. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Trolley Square and ends at Washington Square, where the festival is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
- The rodeo will be held July 18-23 and July 25 at the Maverick Center in West Valley City. Tickets are available at the Maverick Center box office or at www.daysof47rodeo.com. Ticket prices range from $5 to $47.
- The Zion's Bank Float Preview Party will be held July 20 and 21 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.
- A Pioneer Day commemoration concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will be held July 22 at the LDS Conference Center. Admission is free but tickets are required.
- Brother Brigham's Ball will be held July 23 at This Is the Place Heritage Park. Admission is $6.
- The Pioneer Heritage Festival will be held July 23 and 25 at This Is the Place Heritage Park. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.
- A Sunrise Service will be held at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square July 25 at 7 a.m. The event will include a flag ceremony, music and an address by Elder Richard Hinckley of the First Quorum of the Seventy of the LDS Church. Admission is free.
- The Deseret News Marathon/10k/5k walk will be held on July 25. To register, visit www.deseretnewsmarathon.com. Registration closes July 21.
- The KSL 5 Parade will be held July 25. The parade beings at 9 a.m. and runs from South Temple and State Street, east to 200 East, south to 900 South, then ends at Liberty Park. The parade will be televised on KSL, Ch. 5.
For more information on events, visit www.daysof47.com.
Email:benwood@desnews.com
