Pioneer Day events will fill this weekend

Pioneer Day will be celebrated in Monticello with events scheduled on Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25. “Our Legacy” is the theme for the annual celebration. Utah celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24, the day in 1947 when the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley and began the settlement of Utah.

The celebration will be impacted by the ongoing road construction in Monticello. Highway construction on Main and Center streets will result in a new parade route. The annual Pioneer Day Parade, with a later-than-normal 11 a.m. starting time, will travel along 100 West instead of the usual parade route down Monticello’s Main Street.

The Monticello Chamber of Commerce and City of Monticello coordinate the celebration, with a host of volunteers. Karen Whipple is leading the charge, with a large crew of helpers.

In addition to the community-wide celebration, a large number of family reunions and class reunions will be held during the busy weekend.

The annual Lions Club breakfast will be served beginning at 7 a.m. at the Monticello LDS Stake Center pavilion.

The Blue Mountain Pioneer Day Family 5K Race will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Loyds Lake.

The race will follow trails around Loyds Lake and finish at the starting line, rather than racing into Monticello. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. A one-mile kids race will begin at 8:15 a.m.

The Pioneer Day parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at its regular starting spot at Monticello High School. However, as a result of construction on Main Street, the parade will head down Second South and then turn north on First West. The parade route will continue past Monticello Elementary School and finish at the high school.

Liz and Dale Black are coordinating the parade. They can be reached at 435-587-2215.

Carnival events will take place at the standard location at Veterans Memorial Park. Karen Whipple is coordinating the carnival. She can be reached at 435-587-2864.

The restored Big Four Tractor is up and running and is expected to make an appearance at the annual tractor pull.

The tractor pull is set to begin at 2 p.m. The Big Four will make its appearance, under its own power, beginning at 3 p.m.

Additional activities will take place at the Ball Park, including the annual Blue Mountain Invitational Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. Eddie Allred coordinates the softball tournament. He can be reached at 435-587-2271.

On Pioneer Day, July 24, local Boy Scouts are offering a meal as they raise funds to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2010. Daniel Anderson (435-587-2689) is coordinating that event, which will be held at the Ball Park Pavilion beginning at 6 p.m.

A cowboy poetry and tall tale telling contest, including the performance of local talent, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Ball Park Pavilion. Free watermelon will be provided at the Monticello High School football field, courtesy of the Monticello LDS Stake.

Call Cindi Holyoak at 435-587-2271 for more information or call Bill Boyle at 435-587-2277 to register for the Cowboy Poetry / Tall Tale contest.

Activities continue thru the day on Saturday, July 25, culminating in a fireworks display at dark from the Monticello High School football field.

San Juan Record

49 South Main St
PO Box 879
Monticello, UT 84535

Phone: 435.587.2277
Fax: 435.587.3377
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