Join Us for a Great Celebration in 2012!

We have exciting things planned for the 2012 Days of ’47 celebration, from the Royalty Pageant and Parade, to the Rodeo and all the other events.  Our President and the Board of Directors issue sincere thanks to all those who volunteer their time and talents to bring each event to life.  We are also grateful for the hundreds of thousands of our fellow Utahns and the visitors to our great state who participate in or watch our events.  Our 2012 celebration will be thrilling — be sure to schedule your summer plans to take advantage of our many activities — most of which are free to the public.  Grab your hat, pull on those boots and c’mon down!

Please note our new theme, “Pioneers — Building on the Dream”.  Our 2012 celebration will be centered around that phrase and we invite all pioneers, in Utah and everywhere, to join us as we build on pioneer dreams!

We are continually updating our website for 2012.  Please bear with us while we work through the kinks and bring you fresh information for our new season of events and activities.  Check back often.  As each page is updated, we will be sure to tell you that we’re giving you the information for 2012.  In the meantime, if you have specific questions, please Contact Us and send us a message.  We’ll reply as quickly as possible.  See you soon!

The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade

The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade will be held on Tuesday,  July 24, 2012, in downtown Salt Lake City beginning at 9:00 am.  Keep in mind that our 2012 route will begin at South Temple and State Street, run east to 200 East, turn south to 900 South, then east to Liberty Park at 600 East in Salt Lake City.  For a new adventure, brings the kids, the sleeping bags and the hot dogs downtown on the evening of the 23rd.  You can camp out on Salt Lake City streets along the route beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday evening.  This is the biggest sleepover your family and friends will ever experience!  Remember to bring enough water to keep everyone hydrated.

When overnight camping or during the Parade, our Parade Committee officials strongly encourage you to respect the private property owners all along the route — they need their sleep!  Leave business and residential driveways open and be mindful of your neighbors.  Also, pick up trash and use the receptacles placed all along the route while you enjoy the festivities.

Colorful floats, bands, horses, clowns and other entries will entertain new spectators in 2012.  Click here for more about The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade.  Also, the maps attached below will help you negotiate our downtown traffic on July 24th.  Watch our state’s biggest Parade in person or on KSL 5.

1. The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade Line-Up Map
2. The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade Route Map

*Union Pacific Railroad’s Community Celebration

Union Pacific Railroad is proud to join this year’s festivities in commemoration of  Utah’s rich history and the railroad’s 150th anniversary. Union Pacific will stage a community celebration July 24th  at the historic Union Pacific depot in downtown Salt Lake City  from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Shortly after the event begins, a brief ceremony will be held in front of the depot, highlighting Union Pacific’s longstanding relationship with the Great Salt Lake Valley community.  Plan to be present at 12:30 p.m.  Governor Gary R. Herbert will issue a declaration and Mayor Ralph Becker will make a presentation to Union Pacific President and CEO Jack Koraleski. Koraleski will make a special presentation naming Salt Lake City a member of Union Pacific’s Train Town USA Registry.

Following the ceremony, Union Pacific will host a community celebration complete with rides on the Union Pacific mini-train available free to the public.

Union Pacific will also present a series of attractions in the Grand Hall inside the historic Union Pacific depot to allow the community to explore the company’s storied history through archival photography, a locomotive simulator, historic re-enactments and more. Refreshments will be served.

Join us at the depot following the Parade!

*This event is not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

Rodeo

The 2012 version of The Days of ’47 Rodeo is in the early planning stages.  As we have done for generations, The Days of ’47 will bring you plenty of bucking broncos, fiesty cowboys and racing cowgirls beginning on July 19th through the 24th (except Sunday).  For more information, click here.

April 12 through 14, 2012: Royalty Pageant, LDS Conference Center Little Theater, Salt Lake City

May 18, 2012: Pioneer Kids, This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City

July 7, 2012: Family Fun Day, Utah State Fairpark, Salt Lake City

July 10, 2012: All Horse Parade, City Center, Sandy

July 13 and 14, 2012: The Days of ’47 KUTV Pops Concert, Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City

July 14, 2012: Youth Parade, Downtown Salt Lake City

July 14, 2012: Youth Festival, Washington Square, Salt Lake City

July 17 and 18, 2012:  Float Preview Party, South Towne Expo Center, Sandy

July 19, 2012:  Pioneers of Progress Awards Dinner, Little America, Salt Lake City

July 20, 2012: *Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert, LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City

July 21, 2012: *First Encampment Hike, Salt Lake City

July 24, 2012: Sunrise Service, Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City

July 24, 2012:  Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade, Downtown, Salt Lake City

*These events are not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Utah State Fairpark, SLC
Free admission

Start with festive rides and games, thousands of smiling children and lots of volunteers, then locate them all at the Utah State Fair Park. The result: Family Fun Day, an event for all ages.

How can all the carnival rides, crafts, games and entertainment be free? Who loves this event more—the parents or the children? There are lots of smiling children and photo ops here!

Contact Ken Shields, ken_shields@hamiltonpartners.com, 801.931.5526 for information about Family Fun Day.

July 10 – All Horse Parade

The Sandy City Centre welcomes the return of the All  Horse Parade in 2012.  And The Days of ’47 welcome you back to this marvel of equine beauty and precision.  Be sure to set aside the evening of the 10th to see horses of every description parade on the streets of Sandy.

Contact Merl Thurgood, 801.510.3313 to learn more about our 2012 All Horse Parade.

July 14 – Youth Parade

Parade 10:00 a.m.
Parade route begins at 600 East and 500 South and ends at City/County Building, 200 East 500 South, SLC (Youth Festival at City/County Building)
Free admission

Head downtown for this ideal family event featuring one of the largest youth parades in the United States with nearly 5,000 children involved. Grandparents will be snap-happy with the camera and mom and dad will enjoy the chance to let the kids exhaust some of their pent-up energy.

Contact Youth Parade chairs Jodene Smith, 801.254.4656, jsmith@daysof47.com or Jim Williams, 801.694.9828, jwilliams@daysof47.com

July 14 – Youth Festival

After the Youth Parade, stay for the Youth Festival at Washington Square! There are booths with games, crafts and hands-on learning activities, face painting, inflatable slides and other entertainment. Food for the entire family is available. The estimated Festival attendance has risen to more than 15,000 people! Who are the volunteers who make this happen for the children who participate and what does it take to pull off a community event of this size?

Contact co-chairs Suzee King, suzeekingprocess@q.com and Jenny Fletcher, jlfletch8@yahoo.com

July 20, 21, 23 and 24 – The Days of ’47 Rodeo

7:00 p.m.
The Maverik Center, West Valley City

Utahns are spoiled with this annual rodeo, as it is consistently voted one of the top rodeos in the nation by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Get an up-close look at high-intensity competitions including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing and even wild cow milking. The rodeo kicks off July 20th!

Contact: Craig Peterson, 801.583.4398 or Lois Harmon, 801.250.6832

July 17 & 18 – Float Preview Party

11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
South Towne Expo Center, 9575 South State Street, Sandy
Free admission

Want a sneak peek at The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade floats? Unlike some other famous parades across the country, most of The Days of ’47 Parade floats are not created by professionals, but by civic organizations, a variety of church groups and local businesses. Meet the creators and technicians to learn how the massive extravaganza of The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade comes together. Enjoy bands, clowns, entertainment and much more. Be sure to vote for your favorite float, then watch for prize banners in the Parade on the 24th to see if your favorite won!

Contact Tom and Cheri Colligan, 801.254.3207, callagain@peoplepc.com

July 21 – *First Encampment Hike

7:00 a.m.
Meet at Donner Park, corner of Crestview (2770 East) and Kennedy (990 South), SLC
Free admission

This five-mile walk retraces the steps of the first pioneers to enter the valley. At this family-oriented event, the First Encampment Hike recalls the arrival of the first contingent of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley two days before an ailing Brigham Young. What are the thoughts of those who make the walk? Are they descendents of those early pioneers or are they folks interested in a summer morning stroll? The five-mile hike allows for wagons and strollers for children. Hikers must bring their own water. Participants are encouraged to bring a flag, make a name-tag or wear pioneer clothing to honor the pioneers.

Contact: Kathi Izatt, 801.257.7959, kizatt@parrbrown.com

July 24  – The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade

9:00 a.m.
Route starts at South Temple and State Street, travels east to 200 East, south to 900 South, then east to Liberty Park at 600 East, Salt Lake City
Free

Celebrate Utah’s pioneers at this fun-filled parade, which is one of the oldest in the United States. Colorful floats, bands, horses, clowns and other entries thrill tens of thousands of spectators every year. What are the logistics involved — from traffic and law enforcement, to getting all the entrants in line at the staging area, to the final disbandment after the Parade? Who wields the baton?

Contact our Parade Co-Chairs, Jodene Smith, 801.254.4656, jsmith@daysof47.com and Jim Williams, 801.295.1914, jwilliams@daysof47.com.

*These events are not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

Days of ’47 Royalty Court

The Days of ’47 Royalty Pageant has been an annual event ever since 1947. In fact, over the years, at least one of our judges has been an attendant in the past! Every year a queen and two attendants are chosen from among a number of Utah’s finest young women. The annual Pageant includes judges’ interviews and on-stage questioning in street and formal wear. How does this Pageant compare to similar contests? How do the winners spend their summer with their crowns?

Contact: Cathy Ehlert, 801.274.1224.

July 19 – Pioneers of Progress Awards Banquet

6:30 p.m. reception; 7:00 p.m. dinner
Little America Hotel

The Pioneers of Progress Awards recognize service and achievement in modern-day pioneering. These awards honor those who continue Utah’s rich pioneer heritage of vision, industry, integrity, sacrifice and courage, and whose work benefits present and future generations. Recipients are chosen in several categories including Business and Enterprise; Sportsmanship and Athletics; Historic and Creative Arts; Science and Technology Development; Education, Health and Humanitarian Assistance; and Legacy. A newly-instituted component of the evening recognizes the President’s Award honoree. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the recipients, their background, their hometown, their educational and professional achievements, and so much more!

Margo Ayre, 801.257.7959, mayre@xmission.com

July 21 – *First Encampment Hike

7:00 a.m.
Meet at Donner Park, corner of Crestview (2770 East) and Kennedy (990 South), SLC
Free admission

At this family-oriented event, the First Encampment Hike recalls the arrival of the first contingent of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley two days before an ailing Brigham Young. The five-mile hike allows for wagons and strollers for children. Hikers must bring their own water. Participants are encouraged to bring a flag, make a name-tag or wear pioneer clothing to honor the pioneers.

Contact: Kathi Izatt, 801.257.7959, kizatt@parrbrown.com

July 24 – Sunrise Service

7:00 a.m.
LDS Tabernacle on Temple Square
Free admission

Feel the fortitude and faith of the pioneers who blazed the trail to the crossroads of the West. The Sunrise Service features a combined choir from the valley with an inspiration speaker. Experience first-hand the ambience of the renovated Salt Lake Tabernacle and energize your 24th of July with a flag ceremony while being introduced to the The Days of ’47 Royalty.

Contact: La Mar Adams, 801. llamaradams@yahoo.com

July 25 – *Deseret News Marathon/10K/5K Fitness Walk

Somewhere in that mass of runners and walkers, there may be a multi-generational trio (grandma, mom, daughter) and several father-son combos. Maybe someone has been in the mix every year since the run began. The starting time for the Marathon is 5:30 a.m., beginning at the top of Big Mountain, above Emigration Canyon. Prizes will be awarded to male and female 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The 10K starts at 6 a.m. at Research Park, 500 South Wakara Way, on the University of Utah campus. The 5K Walk begins at 7 a.m. at the EnergySolutions Arena, 301 West South Temple, Salt Lake City. All participants will receive a T-shirt and a souvenir.

Contact: Bob Wood, 801.333.7473, bwood@desnews.com

July 23-25 – *Pioneer Heritage Festival

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 East Sunnyside Avenue, SLC
Tickets available at 801.582.1847, www.thisistheplace.org

If we’re going to celebrate the entrance of the pioneers into the valley in 1847, why not do it where they actually entered the valley.  Watch the trade and craft demonstrations, visit original homes and shops and participate in educational activities to learn about Utah’s heritage.  Spectators can experience life as the pioneers lived it at This Is The Place Heritage Park, right at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Enjoy a mini-train ride, watch skilled tradesmen demonstrate pioneer crafts, pet the farm animals and ride the ponies. Many pioneer day-appropriate photo ops here.

Contact: 801.924.7510 for more information.

*These events are not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

Click here to read more about our All Horse Parade

For additional information concerning our 2012 All Horse Parade, contact: Merl Thurgood, 801.510.3313, merlthurgood1020@gmail.com.

July 16 – Youth Parade

Parade 10:00 a.m.
Parade route begins at 60 East 500 South, Salt Lake City
Free admission

Head downtown for this ideal family event, featuring one of the largest youth parades in the United States with nearly 5,000 children involved. Who are the volunteers who make this happen for the children who participate and what does it take to pull off a community event of this size?

Contact Youth Parade Co-Chairs Jim Williams, 801.694.9828, jwilliams@daysof47.com, and Jodene Smith, 801.580.2938, jsmith@daysof47.com

July 20 & 21 – Float Preview Party

11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
South Towne Expo Center, 9575 South State Street, Sandy
Free admission

Want a sneak peek at the floats for The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade? Unlike other big parades across the country, most of our Parade floats are not created by professionals, but by civic organizations, a variety of church groups and local businesses. Meet the creators and technicians to see how the massive extravaganza called The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade comes together. Enjoy bands, clowns, entertainment and much more. Be sure to vote for your favorite float, then watch for prize banners during the Parade on the 25th!

Contact: Tom and Cheri Colligan, 801.254.3207, callagain@peoplepc.com

July 25 – The Days of ’47 KSL 5 Parade

9:00 a.m.
Route starts at South Temple and State Street, travels east to 200 East, south to 900 South, then east to Liberty Park at 600 East, Salt Lake City
Free

Celebrate Utah’s pioneers at this fun-filled parade, which is one of the largest and oldest in the United States. Colorful floats, bands, horses, clowns and other entries thrill tens of thousands of spectators every year. What are the logistics involved? Who handles traffic and law enforcement? How are all the entrants lined up in the staging area? Where do they all go after the Parade? Who is the ultimate conductor wielding the baton?

Contact our Parade Co-Chairs Jim Williams, 801.295.1914, ewilliam01@msn.com and Jodene Smith, 801.254.4656, jodenesmith@q.com

* The first recorded Pioneer Day Celebration took place on 24 July 1849
* The Days of ’47, Inc. was officially organized in 1943, as a private, non-profit organization
* Prior to the establishment of The Days of ’47, Inc., the celebration was known as “Covered Wagon Days,” mainly staged by the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
* The inaugural Days of ’47 Celebration in 1943 included:
o Governor Herbert B. Maw crowning the Royalty on the Capitol steps
o A Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert
o A Coronation Ball
o Four days of street shows
o A Sunrise Service
o A rodeo at what is now called the Utah Fairpark

In 2011, there will be 10 official Days of ’47 events and six more we encourage you to attend including:

o A royalty pageant (all contestants must have pioneer ancestry)
o Two parades (the main parade and a youth parade) (Be sure to see our 2012 All Horse Parade)
o Marathon/10K/5K races**
o A Sunrise Service in the Tabernacle on Temple Square
o A Pops Concert at Abravanel Hall
o A Pioneers of Progress Awards Banquet (honoring modern-day pioneers in seven categories)
o A re-enactment hike allowing participants to retrace the path the first pioneers took when they entered the Salt Lake Valley**
o A number of family- and children-oriented festivities, including free carnival rides, games, entertainment, crafts, etc.
o A rodeo with Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association performances
o A Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square**

The Days of ’47 Parade is one of the oldest parades in the nation

The Days of ’47 Youth Parade is one of the largest of its kind in the nation (several thousand children participate)

The floats from the July 25th parade can be seen at the South Towne Expo Center on July 20th and 21st

Almost all events are free and open to the public.

For more information, see www.daysof47.com

**These events are not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

7:30 p.m.
Abravanel Hall, 123 W. So. Temple, SLC
Free to the public, but tickets required. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

The program features polished vocal and instrumental musicians under the direction of Sterling Poulson. This concert has been held for 60 years. Who are some of the big-name guest artists who have appeared at this concert over all those years? What’s the story behind this year’s guest artist? Who are the members of the Choral Arts Society of Utah?

Contact: Danette Poulson, 801.390.1567

July 25 – Sunrise Service

7:00 a.m.
LDS Tabernacle on Temple Square
Free admission

Feel the fortitude and faith of the pioneers who blazed the trail to the crossroads of the West. This Sunrise Service will feature choir members from throughout the valley with a keynote speaker. Experience first-hand the ambience of the newly renovated Salt Lake Tabernacle and energize your 25th of July with a flag ceremony while honoring The Days of ’47 Royalty.

Contact: Grant Barton, 801.673.3906, grantebarton@yahoo.com.

July 22 – *Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square

7:30 p.m.
LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City
Free but tickets required from www.lds.org or 801-570-0080

Mack Wilberg, music director, will be conducting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. The program will showcase the Choir while featuring a wonderful variety of a songs. What could be more representative of Utah than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

Contact: Michael von Rosen, 801.240.6360 or Scott Trotter, 801.240.6375

*This event is not sponsored by The Days of ’47, Inc.

3 of the local networks and other press were here along with around 50 others. Lieutenant Governor Bell and representatives from the state’s Economic Development Council and the West Valley City mayor’s office were also in attendance. The Days of 47 president Bruce Bingham kicked off the conference and we enjoyed addresses from a number of speakers discussing the importance of the Days of ’47 events and their ability to address the potential disconnect between today’s society and the pioneers of yesteryear that established Utah.

The Days of 47 celebration in general commemorates the sacrifices of pioneers and other Utah residents that came before us. In particular, the rodeo attracts the best rodeo stars in the world. Utah produces more rodeo champions per capita than any other state. This year the rodeo will introduce a $5 ticket to enable anyone to visit the rodeo who wants to. The rodeo will also be sponsoring a western art gallery. The E-Center grounds will be surrounded by a festival including family games and food.