Wave at the Pioneers

Our Family's Float

Happy Pioneer Day! Today is the day that Utahns commemorate the first group of Mormon pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley (July 24th, 1847). Unique to this holiday is the fact that we celebrate "what is virtually the exact moment of [Utah's] settlement, a moment that marked the end of an arduous trek, and the beginning of an ambitious undertaking." (KSL editorial on the subject). What does this mean for those who live in the area? It's a state holiday and kind of like another 4th of July, but with a pioneer/cowboy twist. Fireworks are legal and parades abound. Our neighborhood had a celebration yesterday with a breakfast, a family parade, and fun and games for all (face painting, balloon animals, and old-fashioned pioneer games--like the stick pull).

 

The band led the parade

The "marching band" led the parade, followed by kids on bikes and "covered wagons." Our family (well, Dale, of course) put together a float. We were the pioneers in a boat; fishing as we cross the ocean and narrowly dodging being eaten by a shark. 

Shark Attack

Rain and Friends

Paddling and Fishing

Stick Pull Game