Floats “Forging New Frontiers” at Days of ’47 Parade
Contributed By Valerie Johnson, Church News staff writer
President Henry B. Eyring, who served as this year’s Days of ’47 Parade grand marshal, waves to spectators on the parade route in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015.
From dragons to spaceships and covered wagons to historical military vehicles, the Days of ’47 parade held on July 24 in downtown Salt Lake City had something to entertain everyone. The annual event commemorating Pioneer Day was attended by hundreds of people that lined the parade route.
The theme of the parade was “Forging New Frontiers!” The parade showcased entries from many groups in the area, including the military, the police, cultural groups, colleges, and churches.
“We get business floats, antique cars, high school bands. We try to get bands from all over the valley to participate. It’s always fun to see a kid learning and doing well with their craft,” said Jodene Smith, parade cochair. “The first parade started in 1849 and it’s been consecutive minus the war years,” she said.
This year marks the 168th anniversary of the Mormon pioneers’ arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.
“We like to see the prophet and the apostles, and it’s neat to see all the creations of the floats too,” said Myrna Clark, whose family had been camping on the parade route since 5:00 a.m. Thursday, July 23.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency and this year’s grand marshal, led the procession of dignitaries featured in the parade.
For many families in Salt Lake City, the Days of ’47 parade is a family tradition. Sonasi Pouha, who had camped out on the parade route overnight, said, “My parents brought me when I was little.”
Salt Lake Granger East Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Feai Muitalo said that she and her family love the parade not only because they respect the pioneers that first entered the valley, but “it’s the fun activities for our families and it’s a good outing; we love camping and this is our camping spot.”
“It’s great to honor our pioneers and our country,” said Bev Workman. This was her first year staying overnight for a good spot to see the parade. “My husband usually runs the marathon, so we’ve brought the kids down pretty much every year.”
“We just love to celebrate this day,” said Joyce Hancock who traveled to Salt Lake City from Tooele, Utah. “We have lots of pioneer heritage and it means a lot to us. … We’re glad to get together with family.”
A man marches with the Riverton Utah Central Stake, winner of the Theme Award, in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The South Jordan Utah River Ridge Stake float is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Farmington Utah Oakridge Stake float, which received the Sweepstakes Award and the Outstanding Animation Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Riverton Utah Central Stake float, which received the Theme Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
Nathaniel Fuhriman waves from the North Salt Lake Utah Legacy Stake float during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Centerville Utah Canyon View Stake float, which received the Utah Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The West Jordan Utah Sycamores Stake float, which received the Children's Choice Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Magna Utah Central Stake float is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The BYU float, which received the Mayor's Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Sandy Utah Hidden Valley Stake float, which received the Legacy Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Taylorsville Utah North Stake float, which received the Ensign Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The West Jordan Utah Copper Hills Stake float is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Salt Lake Holladay North Stake float, which received the People's Choice Award, is pictured during the Days of '47 Parade on Friday, July 24, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Stacie Scott, Deseret News.
The Magna Utah Central Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Taylorsville Utah North Stake float is the winner of the Ensign Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Days of '47 Royalty Float is the winner of the President's Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Kearns Utah Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Riverton Utah Central Stake float is the winner of the Theme Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Taylorsville Utah North Stake float is the winner of the Ensign Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Bountiful Utah Heights Stake float is the winner of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Centerville Utah Canyon View Stake float is the winner of the Utah Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Murray Utah South Stake is the winner of the Sons of the Utah Pioneer Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The West Jordan Utah Sycamores Stake is the winner of the Children's Choice Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The BYU float is the winner of the Mayor's Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The West Jordan Utah Copper Hills Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Bountiful Utah Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Holladay North Stake float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Farmington Utah Oakridge Stake float is the winner of both the Sweepstakes Award and the Outstanding Animation Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The Rose Park North Stake is the winner of the Spirit of Faith Award in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, 2015. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
