July 24, 2020 - Pioneer Day

Normally there is a huge parade in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah commemorating the day the Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.  Prior to the day and following it, there are usually concerts, rodeos, and other festivities.  Pioneer Day is always wrapped up with large firework displays throughout the Salt Lake Valley. 

Due to Covid-19, the Days of 47 Parade was cancelled and there were no public events.  We gathered at the home of one of our daughters and had a family dinner. After the dinner, Susan told the grandchildren about one of their ancestors who came to the Salt Lake Valley in one of the wagon trains.

Grandma had brought some dress ups so the children could dress like pioneers. We square danced and attempted to make taffy so the children could pull it, but unfortunately we did not have a candy thermometer and it got cooked too long. The taffy was more like a Jolly Rancher (perhaps hard tack candy).  

We also played some games that pioneer children might have played. It was thought that we could use trash bags instead of gunny sacks (that was a bad idea) for a sack race.  We also did three-legged race.  As you can see from the pictures - some just stuck their feet out the bottom of the trash bag.  The grandchildren did enjoy the race even if they modified the bags. After the three-legged race everyone had a wonderful time jumping on the trampoline. Probably their favorite part of the evening was when the sprinklers came on in the middle of one of the races,

Since everyone was going back to school in just a few days,  Grandma Sue had made everyone several face masks for school. She talked the children into posing for a picture. Below is one of the best - believe us, there were some that really expressed the true feelings behind the masks.

Draper Park is across the street from our daughter's home, but there were not fireworks this 24th of July. Nor was there Draper Days this year. We did drive up by the Draper Temple on our way home and had a beautiful view of the fireworks throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

"We are all required to make journeys of faith, that is the gospel plan.  Our path may not be crossing an ocean or walking alone from an empty train station.  But whatever it is, it will demand faith in every footstep.  Years from now your grandchildren will tell with amazement stories of your choices which changed their lives. You will be called their pioneers. Have you ever thought that as you step into the unknown you are showing other the way?  Bonnie D. Parkin, Finding Faith in Every Footstep, April Conference 1997.