Monticello hosts Pioneer Day celebrations this week

In 2004 a tractor pull was added to the Pioneer Day Celebration in Monticello to raise money to restore the Big 4 tractor. Four years later, the restored tractor is now at the center of this years’ Pioneer Day Celebration, with the theme: Back to the Future, Return of the Big 4.

The celebration will take place on Friday July 25, and Saturday July 26, with a full schedule of activities planned for both days. For a full schedule of events, see
SanJuanCounty.info.

Main events include the Blue Mountain Invitational Fast Pitch Softball Tournament, Air Band Competition, Lions Club breakfast, Pioneer Day parade, kids games in the park, Big 4 Tractor Pull, basketball tournaments, and fireworks.

The Pioneer Days celebration is an annual production of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and the City of Monticello.

Friday events include Lawn mower races at the Southeast Utah Visitors Center, Big 4 Tractor Pull, and the first rounds of the softball tournament.

Saturday Events begin at 6:30 a.m. with the Blue Mountain Pioneer Day Family 5k beginning at Lloyds Lake. The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. at the ballpark pavilion.

A flag ceremony by the Army National Guard will be held at the San Juan Veterans Memorial Park at 7:45 a.m.

Lineup for the parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Monticello High School, the actual parade will begin at 11 a.m. with a children’s parade beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Immediately following the parade, there will be booths and several activities at Veterans Memorial Park at the intersection of U.S. Highways 191 and 491.

The Big 4 Tractor pull will begin at 2 p.m. at the South East Utah Welcome Center.

The activities move from the Veterans Memorial Park to the Ballpark in the early evening with a pie eating contest at 5 p.m., Pioneer games at 6 p.m. and a dance at 8 p.m. An Air Band competition will be held at the Monticello High School Football field.

The Festivities will be capped off with a fireworks show at the Monticello High School Football Field. Sponsored by Blue Mountain Foods, The City of Monticello, KAAJ-LP Radio and The Monticello Chamber of Commerce.