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John Hollenhorst ReportingThey're celebrating sin in Northern Utah. Well, the folks who live in the old rail town of Corinne are not exactly endorsing sin, you understand, but they are having a lot of fun remembering their town's sinful past. And 'Naughty Corinne' just might be the place to be next Tuesday night.
This isn't your typical Utah historical pageant. But then, Corinne isn't your typical Utah town.
Tammie Christensen: "It was the sin city, I think, of the United States at one time."
Yes, for one brief shining moment, with the coming of the railroad in 1869, Corinne was a naughty place.
Colby Earl, Pageant Player: "Corinne was a city that boomed fast and died just as fast."
Today, the rails are still there, but the sin is gone -- mostly. But they're keeping memories alive in the First Annual town pageant called 'Corinne:The Gentile City.' Most of the players are not Gentiles, but they cover most of the bad old stuff -- like the 15 saloons, 16 liquor stores, innumerable gambling halls, and 70 or so women known as "Soiled Doves".
Tammie Christensen, "Soiled Dove": "We are women of ill repute. Heh, heh, heh, heh."
Q: "you said that with a smile on your face."
A: "heh, heh, I think there was many at that time."
The show gets into a few peripheral sin-related issues, such as a breakout from the city jail. And there's a recap of a famous local scam: A vending machine for divorces.
According to legend, the divorce mill spit out 2000 divorce decrees before someone figured out they were invalid.
Melinda Forsgren, Pageant Player: "So I think this is good to show that there are some places in Utah that have some sin involved with their little dark secrets in the closet."
For those who were into it, it was a lot of fun while it lasted -- about three years. But for every party there's always a party pooper.
Branson Neff, 'Brigham Young': "We just can't stand for that type of behavior!"
You guessed it. Brigham Young supposedly spoiled the fun by cursing the town.
Branson Neff, 'Brigham Young': "All hell wants it! The saints don't want it and we will not have it!"
The pageant players say they're definitely not endorsing sin, just having fun in a PG-rated show. And after all, history is what history is.
The Corinne pageant is next Tuesday night in the Corinne City Park. If you want to join the fun, drive to Brigham City and then head three miles west from Exit 368. Festivities start at 8 pm; admission is free.
