SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's Pioneer Day holiday celebrates the arrival of the first group of pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Cities across Utah are celebrating with unique events to mark the holiday.
Days of '47 celebration
The week of festivities starts with the Float Preview Party on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22 from 11 a.m.to 9 p.m. at the Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State.
The Utah Days of '47 Rodeo will kick off with a cattle drive through Salt Lake streets at 9 a.m. on July 21. Then, nightly shows will take place at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 S. 1000 West, from Tuesday, July 21 to Saturday, July 25, with each show followed by fireworks and drone displays.
The Deseret News Marathon is the longest-operating marathon in Utah and it kicks off early (5:30 a.m.) on Friday, July 24, with full, half, 10K, 5K, 1K and the new relay races. Online registration closes at 5 p.m. on July 23.
The multiple-day festival also includes the iconic Days of '47 Parade, which starts Friday, July 24, at 9 a.m. The route begins at South Temple and State and ends at 900 S. 600 East in Salt Lake City.
Ogden Pioneer Days
Bring your boots and cowboy hat for the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo, one of the top five large outdoor rodeos in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The rodeo begins Saturday, July 18, and runs through Friday, July 24. Bands will perform before the rodeo and drone shows will be held at the Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium after the rodeo each night.
- When: Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. Horse and Hitch Parade followed by the Grande Parade.
- Where: The parade route begins on 30th Street, continues north on Washington Boulevard and ends on 20th Street.
This Is The Place
Join in on the Utah festivities in true pioneer style at This is the Place Heritage Park. A full day of festivities includes a flag ceremony, handcart parade, dancing, watermelon eating contest and normal activities at the park. Enjoy the holiday as you step back in time to the pioneer days.
- When: July 24, Flag ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Parade of Handcarts at 11 a.m., dancing and watermelon-eating contest throughout the day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Where: This is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 Sunnyside Ave. in Salt Lake City; flag ceremony at This is the Place Fort, Parade of Handcarts at Main Street, dancing and watermelon eating contest around the park.
- Cost: Admission price to the park.
Pioneer Fun at the Mill
Celebrate in Tooele County with rich pioneer history at the Pioneer Fun at the Mill event. The free festivities, hosted at the Benson Grist Mill, will include free pioneer games and activities, free hot dogs and drinks and folks dressed in pioneer-style clothing. Try your hand at authentic pioneer chores and see what life was like back in 1847.
- When: Friday, July 24, festivities begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m.
- Where: Benson Grist Mill, 325 Pole Canyon Road, Stansbury Park.
- Cost: Free to the public.
Fireworks and city celebrations
- American Fork: Steel Days will run from July 18-25 and includes a carnival, parade, pool party, live music and fireworks on Saturday.
- Eagle Mountain: The city's Summer Bash will showcase free music, games and a late-night laser show on Saturday, July 25, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Cory Wride Memorial Park.
- Beaver: Join in on the pioneer spirit with Beaver's day of celebration. Start the day with a 5K and fun run, followed by the parade down Main Street at 9:30 a.m. After the parade, stop by the park for foot races, bounce houses and lunch. The rodeo and fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m. will close out the day at the Tushar Mountain 4-plex.
- Bountiful: Enjoy a day full of food, drinks and fun activities at the annual Handcart Days. The day includes a parade, mountain man exhibition, live music, games and fireworks at the Bountiful City Park Pavilion, 400 N 200 West.
- Fairview: Bring on the party with Fairview's 5K at 6 a.m., Pioneer Day Parade at 11 a.m., breakfast, car show and old-fashioned kids' games.
- Heber Valley Railroad: The Fiddlers 'n Fireworks event offers a historic train ride, gunfighter show and fireworks over Deer Creek Reservoir.
- Kanab: Celebrate in a unique way with the annual fireworks on the water. Spots can be reserved at 4 p.m., but fireworks will not begin until after dark at Jackson Flat Reservoir.
- Kamas: Kamas Valley Fiesta Days involves a rodeo, parade, car show, demolition derby and fireworks from July 18 to July 25, with fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Kaysville: Help to raise funds to support youth sports in the city. On its 35th anniversary, the scholarship program will help youth participate in recreational sports. Stop by Bowman's, 326 Main, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. for a pancake breakfast.
- Layton: Join in on the fun with a day full of live entertainment, dancing, a Surf 'n Swim, food truck rally, a special performance from "Riders in the Sky" and a unique electric light parade. Neon lights meet a traditional parade in this special nighttime event from Wasatch Drive, north to Constitution Circle. The evening will end in an electric light party zone.
- Logan: A full day's festivities will include tournaments, a fun run, a parade, a candy cannon, bingo night, a concert and a culminating evening of fireworks at 10 p.m. at Willow Park, 450 W. 700 South.
- Millcreek: Enjoy a sweet treat with the Millcreek community from 6 to 9 p.m. for slices of pie and root beer floats at the Plaza at Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave. The event also includes live music, line dancing, games, roller skating and more.
- Moab: Beat the heat with the Moab Museum's ice cream social. Stop by the Moab Museum, 118 E. Center, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to enjoy Aggie ice cream, live music, lawn games and the museum.
- Orem: University Place's Pioneer Day Celebration & Market will include live entertainment and a local vendor market at 5 p.m. at the Orchard at University Place.
- Salt Lake City: The capital city is hosting a large-scale drone show at Liberty Park, beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday; and fireworks shows will occur at Daybreak Field at America First Square, following the Salt Lake Bees game on Friday, July 24.
- Spanish Fork: Fiesta Days celebration includes a major fireworks finale at the Sports Park around 10 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
- Park City: Head to the Summit Community Gardens and EATS at 4056 Shadow Mountain Dr. on Friday, July 24, for an evening of food trucks, dessert pies, pizza and more.
- Utah County: Utah County's Pioneer Day Celebration will include a fireworks show over Utah Lake at 11 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
- Vernal: Celebrate the pioneer spirit with Vernal's day of activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free activities such as rope making, pottery and demonstrations of blacksmithing will be offered. Old-fashioned games, free museum entry and a fundraising bake sale will all complete the day at Vernal Pioneer Museum, 186 S. 500 West.
- Washington City: A free day of festivities ends with a community fireworks show at Veterans Park at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
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