LIST: Here’s where you can celebrate Pioneer Day
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Pioneer Day is coming up — a holiday that’s been celebrated in Utah since 1849, two years after Brigham Young and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley.
It’s recognized as an official holiday in the state and Utahns don’t hold back on celebrations, such as fireworks, parades, rodeos, and more.
If you’re still wondering what you’ll be doing for the holiday, ABC4.com has prepared a list of spots around the state that will be holding celebrations.
This list will continue to be updated as we find more information on events.
Beaver County:
Beaver: Beaver City will be having its Pioneer Day Horse Races on Wed. July 24 at 1 p.m., as well as live music, stick pony races, bounce houses, and other activities for families to enjoy.
Milford: From July 26 – 28, there will be a slew of events to celebrate Pioneer Day. July 26, there will be all-town garage sales, a bake sale, dunk tank fundraiser at Florence Park, and more. July 27 will kick off with a 5K run, a parade, inflatables, and a burger picnic. On that day, there will also be breakfast, a tractor ride, and bingo. Visit milfordcommercialclub.com for a full list of events.
‘This is the Place’: Why Utahns celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24
Box Elder County:
Brigham City: At Dennis B Vincent Memorial Park, there will be activities in celebration of the holiday, such as rope making, pioneer games, crafts, and more on July 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cache County:
Logan: There will be a Pioneer Day celebration in Logan on July 24, starting with a run and breakfast in the morning. Throughout the day, there will be a variety of events, including horseshoe and cornhole tournaments, food and craft booths, a parade, and fireworks in the evening.
North Logan: North Logan will be having a day filled with festivities on July 24. Events include a Charity Fun Run, pickleball tournament, breakfast, fishing contest, parade, activities at Elk Ridge Park, BMX bike racing, charity barbeque, and bingo. There will also be games, a movie in the park, and fireworks to end the night.
Wellsville: In Wellsville, there will be a Pioneer Day Festival on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a barbeque competition. Tickets are $10 per person, with a $5 upgrade for five samples for the Smokeout Taste Test.
Davis County:
Bountiful: Bountiful City will host events on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, as part of its Handcart Days. On Friday, there will be food, drinks, and activities at Bountiful City Park as well as a free concert. Saturday, there will be a parade at 9 a.m., activities in the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and fireworks at Mueller Park Junior High at 10 p.m.
Layton: On Pioneer Day, Layton will have a range of events to celebrate the holiday, including a Pioneer Day Jubilee at the Heritage Museum, a free concert with Riders In The Sky at Ed Kenley Amphitheater, and an Electic Light Parade near the northwest corner of Wasatch Drive and Gentile Street.
Iron County:
Parowan: On Saturday, July 20, Parowan will be having a Pioneer Day Celebration on Main Street Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with dinner and activities.
Cedar City: Cedar City will host a Pioneer Day carnival on July 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Southern Utah University practice field on the west side of the Eccles Coliseum, complete with food, vendors, and a candy canyon. Admission is free.
Kane County:
Kanab: Join in on the annual Pioneer Day Fireworks on the Water event at Jackson Flat Reservoir on July 24. There will be live bands, activities for kids, a dunk tank, dinner, a church history walk, and fireworks.
Millard County:
Hinckley: Hinckley will be celebrating Pioneer Day on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20. Friday, there will be mutton busting, calf riding, and a rodeo. Saturday kicks off with a fun run at 7:30 a.m. followed by a parade and live music, food and merchandise vendors, and games at Hinckley Town Park. There will also be a rodeo that evening.
Rich County:
Laketown: There will be a Laketown Pioneer Day Celebration on July 20, starting with breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. There will then be outdoor games and a parade.
Salt Lake County
Pioneer Day Parade: On Wednesday, July, 24, starting at 9:00 a.m., the annual Pioneer Day Parade will take place. There will be plenty to see, with colorful floats, bands, horses and more. According to the parade’s website, many people camp out on the streets the night before to secure a great spot. There will also be a Pioneer Day Rodeo that runs Tuesday through Saturday, July 19-20 and 22-24.
Drone Show at Liberty Park: In 2023, Salt Lake City decided to replace firework shows with drones. The city continued that this year, with a drone show for Independence Day, and another coming up on Pioneer Day. The July 24 show will begin at 10 p.m. at Liberty Park.
Uniting Communities Powwow: On July 24, the Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce is presenting the “Uniting Communities Powwow“, which will include a festival and powwow. The event will start at 10 a.m. and go until 9 p.m., with food vendors and trucks, as well as arts and crafts.
Pioneer Day at The Leonardo: The Leonardo Museum will be hosting special themed activities, such as crafting mini parade floats following the parade in Salt Lake City on July 24. It’s included with General Admission and free for members.
This Is The Place Heritage Park: For Pioneer Day, This Is The Place Heritage Park will be having a wide range of activities, including a candy cannon, games, and their everyday activities, panning for gold, riding ponies and trains, arts & crafts and more. Tickets are $18.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors, and $14.95 for children 3-11. Children 2 and under can enter the park for free.
Sanpete County:
Spring City: In Spring City on July 24, celebrations include a 5K fun run, parade park party, community barbeque, corn hole tournament, talent show, and more.
Sterling: At Sterling Park, there will be a Pioneer Day celebration on July 24, complete with games, prizes, tournaments, food trucks, a parade, and fireworks.
Sevier County:
Monroe City: On July 24, Monroe City has a day filled with festivities planned, including a milk run, breakfast, flag ceremony, parade, concert and fireworks. On July 22 and 23, there will also be other activities, including a community barbeque and sports tournaments.
Summit County:
Summit Community Gardens: At Summit Community Gardens, there will be a “Pie & Beer” Day event on Pioneer Day, with pizza from Este Pizza and Red Banjo Pizza and pie from Aunty Em’s, as well as beer from Kiltos Brewing. This event is 21+ and tickets are $50.
Tooele County:
Grantsville: Grantsville City will be holding festivities for Pioneer Day on Saturday, July 20. Children are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, and wagons at the Grantsville Fire Station at 26. N Center Street at 4 p.m. There will then be a parade at 4:30 p.m. which ends at the Clark Historic Farm. Afterward, there will be carnival games, a family picnic, and activities, including pie-eating and pit-spitting. In the evening, there will be entertainment with cowboy poetry and a quilt display.
Utah County
American Fork: As part of its Steel Days, American Fork has been holding events from July 13 that will go through July 20. On July 20, they will have a marching band breakfast, Steel Days Run, and Grand Parade. They will be hosting a show at Art Dye Park in the evening, with fireworks to end the night.
Mapleton: Mapleton is holding its annual Pioneer Days, which started on July 13 and goes through July 20. It includes sports tournaments, historical programs, a parade, 5K, park activities, a firework show, and more.
Orem: University Place is hosting its seventh annual Pioneer Day Celebration, which will have performances by Trash Panda Drum Group and A Cappella group Vocalocity, comedian Tanner Gillman, and band Made for Midnight. Afterwards, there will be a fireworks show. The event, slated for July 24, is free in The Orchard. It starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 9:45 p.m.
Provo: Provo will be hosting its Pioneer Day Extravaganza on July 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Park, with an array of food trucks for attendees to choose from.
Spanish Fork Fiesta Days: Spanish Fork will be hosting Fiesta Days from July 19 to July 20 and July 22 to July 24, complete with a rodeo and entertainment. There will also be The Fiesta Days Grand Parade on July 24, with marching bands, floats, businesses, and more.
Washington County:
Hurricane: On July 24, there will be a Pioneer Day celebration at Sand Hollow Resort from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the ninth hole at the Links Course. The event will feature a fun lineup of activities such as bounce houses, food stands, live performances, and a fireworks show. Tickets start at $2.
Washington City: On July 24, Washington City will be hosting a range of activities for the holiday. The Lions Club will serve breakfast at 7 a.m. and then a parade will march down Telegraph St. at 8 a.m. Afterward, there will be children’s booths in Veterans Park. There will be fireworks at 10 p.m. at the Washington City Community Center,
Weber County:
Ogden: At the newly renovated Pioneer Stadium, there will be a rodeo as part of Ogden’s Pioneer Days, with events going from Friday, July 19, to Wednesday, July 24, excluding Sunday. There will be a drone show after the rodeo every night. On July 24, there will also be a Grand Parade, starting with the Horse & Hitch Parade.
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