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WASHINGTON — The weather is warming in Washington city and bolls of pride are swelling as residents prepare to celebrate Cotton Days in memory of the city's early struggles farming cotton in the desert.
The weeklong celebration, scheduled April 24-30, features activities throughout the town with historical presentations, family-friendly entertainment, a tractor competition, car show and food trucks to feed the masses at many events.
The festivities begin Monday, April 24, with the unveiling of a new statue for pioneer settler Malinda Allison Hunt Kelley Covington. The event starts at 5 p.m. with a special program at the Old School Museum, 25 E. Telegraph St., to kick off Cotton Days week.
Covington moved to Utah with her first husband, Milton Kelley. Born in Kentucky in 1815, she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843. According to genealogy records, both Malinda and Milton were called to join the Mormon Battalion, the only religious unit recognized by the U.S. military in history.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson will attend the statue's unveiling due to her passion for Utah women's pioneer history.
