This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Pancake breakfasts, parades, rodeos and fireworks will take place across the state this weekend as Utah celebrates Pioneer Day.
Because July 24 falls on a Sunday, almost all of the activities will take place before or after the actual anniversary of the day Mormon leader Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
"Pie and Beer Day" celebrations are the only exception. These parties and fundraisers are a small, but growing alternative to Utah's traditional Mormon holiday and will take place on no surprise Sunday. (See box.)
The official state holiday is Monday; state offices and liquor stores will be closed. Monday also is when the Days of '47 Parade moves through downtown Salt Lake City. Just as it has in years past, it will end at Liberty Park, where there will be a Native American Festival and fireworks at dusk.
Can't wait that long? There are many things planned for families and children on Friday and Saturday, including: movies in the park, fun runs, art shows, farmers markets, baseball games and demolition derbies.
Here's a list of Pioneer Day happenings around the valley.
Bountiful Handcart Days
Bountiful celebrates Handcart Days with games, historic tours, food and entertainment in the city park. The parade is Friday at 6 p.m., with fireworks at Mueller Park Junior High at 10 p.m.
When • Friday, noon-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where • Bountiful City Park, 400 N. 200 West
Tickets • Free; handcartdays.org
Butlerville Days
Butlerville Days in Cottonwood Heights includes a carnival, chalk art contest, free bingo, food trucks and the first Mayor's Cup Pickleball Tournament. Friday, there will be a free showing of Disney's "Zootopia" in the park; Saturday highlights include the parade and fireworks.
When • Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.
Where • Butler Park, 7500 S. 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights
Tickets • Fees vary; cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/community/events/butlerville_days
Ogden celebrates
Ogden City will celebrate Pioneer Days with parades, a rodeo, music, a farmers market and visual arts exhibits. Fireworks on Monday after the rodeo.
When • Friday, 9 a.m.; Saturday, noon; Monday, 9 a.m.
Where • Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave.
Tickets • $7-$18 for rodeo tickets; ogdenpioneerdays.com
Fiesta Days in Kamas
Kamas Valley Fiesta Days features a parade, rodeo, demolition derby, bull wars, children's activities, pageants and fireworks.
When • Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.
Where • Kamas City Park, 400 S. Main
Details • kamascity.net
Rocky Mountain Raceways
Stay after the races and enjoy fireworks at the Rocky Mountain Raceways Motocross Track.
When • Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday, 9-11 p.m.
Where • Rocky Mountain Raceways, 6555 W. 2100 South, West Valley City
Tickets • rmrracing.com/events
Salt Lake Bees vs. Tacoma Rainiers
The Salt Lake Bees play four games against the Tacoma Rainiers this weekend. Fireworks after the Friday and Saturday games.
When • Friday and Saturday, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, 7:05 p.m.
Where • Smiths Ballpark, 77 W. 1300 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • smithstix.com
Days of '47 Rodeo
One of the highlights of the holiday is the annual Days of '47 Komatsu Equipment Rodeo.
When • Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where • Vivint Smart Home Arena, 301 W. South Temple St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10-$37; smithstix.com or vivintarena.com
Pioneer Day concert
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform with the King's Singers.
When • Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where • LDS Conference Center, 60 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free tickets already have been distributed, but patrons are invited to stand by for last-minute seating each evening. The line forms at the north gate on Temple Square.
Days of '47 Encampment Hike
Walk in the footsteps of the pioneers during this 5-mile hike for families. Participants follow Emigration Creek through Salt Lake City and end near the site where the pioneers first camped in 1847. Breakfast for $3 per person will be available at the hike's conclusion.
When • Saturday, 7 a.m.
Where • Hike begins at Donner Park, 2770 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City, and ends at First Encampment Park, 1700 S. 500 East
Cost • Free, but guests should pre-register; email johnna.howcroft@comcast.net
Days of '47 Youth Parade and Family Festival
On of the country's largest youth parades will features marching bands, floats, performing groups and children having a good time. At the end of the parade, enjoy a family festival at Washington Square.
When • Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where • Starts at 600 East and 500 South; runs west on 500 South to 200 East, ending at the City and County Building and Washington Square
Pioneer Days in Fairview
Fairview, in Sanpete County, celebrates with a 5K run, breakfast, craft fair, kid's parade and a regular parade, car show and demolition derby and fireworks.
When • Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where • Fairview City, 165 N. State
Tickets • Free; fairviewcity.com
Mapleton celebrates
The daylong celebration in Mapleton starts with a flag ceremony, followed by a 5K fun run and breakfast. The parade begins at Mapleton Junior High at 10 a.m., followed by activities, games, food and entertainment in the city park. Fireworks at 10 p.m.
When • Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Where • Mapleton City Park, Maple Street and Main Street
Details • mapleton.org/event/july-24th-city-celebration/
Kaysville breakfast
Kaysville will hold a breakfast to benefit its recreation department.
When • Saturday, 7-10 a.m.
Where • Bowmans Market Bakery Restaurant, 365 N. Main, Kaysville
Tickets • $5; $20 for families; kaysvillecity.com
Provo extravaganza
Provo celebrates with food, games, music, entertainment, a farmers market, antique car show, pioneer camp and museum, as well as an American Indian village and Wild West show.
When • Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where • Provo Recreation Center, 320 W. 500 North
Tickets • Free; provo.org/community/events-in-provo/pioneer-day-extravaganza
Pioneer Day in Tooele
Tooele celebrates with a 10 a.m. children's parade, followed by a snack in the park, pioneer games, races, dancing and demonstrations.
When • Saturday, 10 a.m.- 1p.m.
Where • Aquatic Center Park, 200 W. Vine St., Tooele
Tickets • Free; tooelecity.org
This Is the Place Heritage Park
In addition to the everyday pioneer activities, like panning for gold and riding ponies and trains, special activities include a candy cannon, American Indian dancing, a bird show, games and a watermelon eating contest.
When • Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where • This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $12.95; children 2 and younger are free
Details • thisistheplace.org/todays-fun/pioneer-days.html
Spanish Fork Fiesta Days
Spanish Fork celebrates with a 10k run, breakfast, craft fair, 9 a.m. parade, quilt show, rodeo and fireworks. Visit spanishfork.org/newsevents/events/fiestadays/calendar.php.
When • Monday, 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Where • Spanish Fork City Park, 49 S. Main
Tickets • Breakfast $3-$20; race fees $17-$20, no registration on race day
Days of '47 Sunrise Service
The Days of '47 Sunrise Service is presented by the Salt Lake Pioneer Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. Program includes music by the combined choirs of the Salt Lake City Institute and a talk by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When • Monday, 7 a.m.
Where • Salt Lake LDS Tabernacle, 50 N. Main
Tickets • Free
Days of '47 KSL Parade
The Days of '47 parade is one of the largest and oldest in the United States. The route starts at South Temple and State Street runs east to 200 East, turns south to 900 South, then turns east to Liberty Park at 600 East. It will be televised by KSL TV Channel 5.
When • Monday, 9 a.m.
Tickets • Free
Details • daysof47.com/events/days-of-47-parade
Native American Festival
The annual Native American Celebration includes drumming, dancing, food and artwork.
When • Monday, noon-10 p.m.
Where • Liberty Park, 900 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10; youth, $8 each (K-12); children under 3 and seniors over 65 get in free
Details • facebook.com/nacippowwowfestival
Salt Lake City fireworks
Bring a blanket and chairs and enjoy Salt Lake City's annual firework show.
When • Monday, 10 p.m.
Where • Liberty Park, 900 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free; details at http://www.slcgov.com/node/465
Counterculture celebrates July 24 with pie and beer
For those seeking an alternative to Utah's traditional Mormon holiday, there are several "Pie and Beer Day" celebrations taking place in the Salt Lake area.
This unique food and beverage pairing a silly twist on the words Pioneer Day is a recent trend that pokes fun at the predominant culture a bit, but it gives "gentiles," as non-Mormons were once called, a reason to feel good about a day that often has little meaning for them.
KRCL fundraiser
KRCL was one of the first to hold an official Pie & Beer Day celebration. This year the fundraiser returns with local brews, pies made by local chefs and a chance to mingle with other KRCL listeners.
When • Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
Where • Beer Bar, 161 E. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25; krcl.org/blog/krcls-annual-pie-beer-day-2016
Madeline Choir School
The Catholic school in downtown Salt Lake will throw its first Pie and Beer Day party with food trucks, Utah-made beer and live music.
When • Sunday, 1-7 p.m.
Where • Madeleine Choir School , 205 First Ave., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10-$50; ticket includes six 12-ounce tastings
Details • madeleinechoirschool.ejoinme.org/2016beerfest
Pie-N-Beer Day in Draper
The Knights of Columbus celebrate the holiday in Draper.
When • Sunday, noon-2 p.m.
Where • St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 11800 S. 300 East, Draper
More fun near the U. of U.
St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center will hold a Pie & Beer Day celebration.
When • Monday, 6-8 p.m.
Where • Newman Center, 170 University St., Salt Lake City