This year's Days of '47 Parade to celebrate 2 anniversaries. Here's the route it will take

SALT LAKE CITY — The Days of '47 Parade has celebrated Utah's pioneer settlement for over 175 years, but event organizers say this year's event will also honor another pivotal anniversary.

This Friday, ways to commemorate the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence will be folded into the traditional celebration of when pioneers formally reached the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The blend seeks to "bring together one of the country's oldest and most beloved traditions with a once-in-a-generation national celebration," Days of '47 officials said.

That includes an appearance by George Washington, the nation's first president — or at least an actor portrayal of him. Lawrence Howard, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution who lives in St. George, was cast to play the part.

A pair of Apache helicopters and another pair of Black Hawk helicopters will fly over the route, as well. That's on top of the record-setting 147 parade entries that will pass through downtown Salt Lake City, said Parade Chair Jodene Smith. One of these is the Calvary Baptist Choir, which will help celebrate America's 250th birthday, she said.

"This year's parade will feature a record number of floats, horses, marching bands, antique automobiles and participants representing businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, civic organizations and military groups," she added in a statement.

Camille N. Johnson, general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former primary general president, will serve as this year's grand marshal. She's just the second woman to serve in that role in the parade's history.

Parade and marathon route to close some Salt Lake roads

This year's parade will return to the corner of South Temple and State Street, where all the floats and participants will travel east onto 200 East before traveling south to 900 South and east again to Liberty Park at 600 East. It begins at 9 a.m.

Roads will be closed in that area throughout the duration of the event, likely lasting until the early afternoon.

Several roads will also be closed in Salt Lake City for the Deseret News Marathon taking place on Friday.

This year's route begins at the Mountain Dell Golf Course (7603 E. Mountain Dell Golf Road in Parleys Canyon) at 5:30 a.m. Participants will go up the hill toward the Mormon Pioneer Trail near Affleck Park before heading back to and then through Emigration Canyon toward the Salt Lake Valley.

The route goes as far south as the intersection of Broadmoor Street and Foothill Drive (near 2100 South in Salt Lake City), before runners turn north again. The path runs along Foothill Drive all the way back to the University of Utah.

Runners will then cut through parts of South Temple and 100 South in Central City, before connecting with the parade route at 200 East and 100 South. Like the parade, it will also end at Pioneer Park.

Roads in the area will be temporarily closed while the race is completed. Major routes include state Route 65, Foothill Drive (north of 2100 South) and 1300 East near the University of Utah, as well as sections of South Temple, 100 South and sections closed off for the parade.

The full map can be found online on the event's website.

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