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SALT LAKE CITY — Floats, bands, horses and more were cheered by thousands of spectators as they made their way down 200 East and 900 South on Tuesday morning in Utah's longest running parade.
The Days of '47 KSL Parade has become a Pioneer Day tradition, commemorating Mormon pioneers' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Days of '47 celebrations have been held each year since 1943. The annual parade ranks among the oldest in the nation, according to Days of '47 Inc.
Float parade winners were announced Tuesday morning. Click here for a list.
Spectators were allowed to set up camp two hours earlier on the night before the parade than in past years. The Salt Lake City Council voted earlier this month to allow people to begin reserving spots along the parade route at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.
Camper Holly Scow said it's a great experience. "Just all the people you get to meet and everybody else that slowly comes around. You get to meet new people and talk to people."
Another parade camper, Jean Smith, said, "They're playing cards now. We eat and just goof around."
Overnight the floats made the slow trek from the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy to downtown. Hitched up in many different ways, they slowly made their way north on I-15 with the help of a police escort.
The parade got under way at 9 a.m. at South Temple and State. The parade then traveled south down 200 East, turning east at 900 South and ending at 600 East.
Road Reminders
UDOT says drivers can expect busy roads with the extended Pioneer Day weekend. The heaviest traffic is expected tonight and then again on Tuesday night. Some of the areas to watch out for on I-15 involve the Core project in Utah County as well as in Clearfield. Also, Parleys, Provo and Weber canyons will all have lane restrictions.
