While there won’t be the traditional Days of ’47 events in Salt Lake City, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some Utah cities and towns won’t let the holiday go by completely unobserved.
Some communities will shoot off fireworks, viewable from a long way away from the launch point. And some municipalities will stage events outdoors, where the spread of the virus can be lessened (with masks and other protocols, of course).
Here is a rundown of fireworks shows and other events around Utah on Pioneer Day. Have fun, keep your distance, and wear your mask.
Fireworks
Bountiful • Mueller Park Junior High, 955 E. 1800 South, Bountiful, starting at dusk (around 9:30 p.m.). The only part of Bountiful’s Handcart Days that wasn’t canceled because of COVID-19.
Mapleton • Ira Allen Park, 1728 S. 800 West, Mapleton, starting at 10 p.m., with pre-show entertainment at 9:30 p.m. on 99.7 FM. The park will be closed to visitors, and residents are advised to watch from their homes.
Provo • Provo Towne Centre, 1200 Towne Center Blvd., Provo, starting at 10 p.m. Organizers are suggesting people watch from their cars in the Sam’s Club parking lot; park at least one spot away from other people and cars.
Washington • Washington City Community Center, 350 Community Center Drive, Washington, starting at 10 p.m.
Events
• The Kanab Music Festival happens Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m., at Jacob Hamblin Park, 566 N. 100 East, Kanab. Ten Utah acts will perform over the two days, on two stages. All shows are free. Social distancing, masks and hygiene standards will be in place.
• The Provo Pioneer Day celebration, with food trucks and music, runs Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kiwanis Park, 1019 N. 1100 East, Provo. Protocols will be in place to keep people 10 feet apart while in line and ordering food. Mask-wearing is encouraged. Many trucks do not accept cash, so have a credit card or Venmo app ready.
• The Heber Valley Railroad is holding a Friday “Fiddlers & Fireworks” event — which includes a dinner, old-time fiddlers performing at the depot, the Salt Water Bunch Gunfight show, and a train ride. Dinner starts at 7:15 p.m.; the train leaves the station at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and teens; $25 for children 3-12; or $50 for the Luxury 850 table or lounge car. Go to hebervalleyrr.org for tickets and details about COVID-19 protocols.
• Renaissance Now Theatre & Film will complete its run of two Shakespeare plays — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Friday, “King Lear” on Saturday — with performances at 7:30 p.m. each night, at Rock Canyon Trailhead Amphitheater, 1502 E. 2300 North, Provo. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Reservations required; go to renaissancenow.com. There will be a maximum of 40 people in the audience. Masks and other COVID-19 protocols in place.
• The Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo concludes Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m., at 475 S. Main St. in Spanish Fork. Tickets are $17.50 for the grandstand, $14.50 for adults and children. COVID-19 protocols, including masks, are in place.
• High Society, a dance-music cover band, will perform in Murray’s Arts in the Park series, Friday at 7:30 p.m., at Murray City Amphitheater, 495 E. 5300 South, Murray. Tickets are $10 at murray.utah.gov/1655/Evening-Series. COVID-19 protocols, including masks, will be in place.
