Celebrate Pioneer Day in Bountiful City this year with a 75-year-old tradition.
Handcart Days, the city’s annual celebration of the arrival of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneers and others who helped shape the community, held its first event in 1950.
“We have something for everyone,” said Lori Poole, who serves as president of the executive committee alongside her husband, Curtis. This year, the event includes food, games and activities, along with a concert, in Bountiful City Park on Friday, July 25; and 1K, 5K and half marathon races and a parade on Saturday, July 26.
The city will allow guests to set up chairs for the parade at 9 p.m. on July 25. “The parade is going to be amazing this year with lots of professional floats, exciting bands, horse entries and much more,” Poole said. “Our parade committee has really outdone themselves, and we are going to have 1.8 miles of pure entertainment on Saturday morning.”
The concert features Roy Rivers, a John Denver tribute artist and singer-songwriter. “Just bring a blanket or some chairs to watch him perform on stage at Bountiful City Park,” Poole said. “All of our concessions will be open during the concert, so people can grab a fresh scone and a soda and sit back to enjoy the show.”
Handcart Days is a nonprofit organization. Poole said that around 100 volunteers are involved in year-round planning, and about 800 additional volunteers help with food, the parade, games and more during the event. She added she’s grateful to the city, park maintenance, local police, fire services and the people behind the fireworks for helping make it all happen. “It’s truly awe-inspiring to see how this community rallies together to create something so special,” she said.
Handcart Days is one of many Pioneer Day celebrations in July. Visit city websites for others.
Handcart Days schedule
Friday, July 25
Food, games and activities, Bountiful City Park, 5–9:30 p.m.
Roy Rivers concert, Bountiful City Park, 8–9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26
Handcart Days Race (1K, 5K, half marathon), races starting at 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Parade, Bountiful Main Street, 9 a.m.
Food, games and activities, Bountiful City Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fireworks, Mueller Park Junior High, 10 p.m.
Find more information at handcartdays.org.
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