Every July 24, Pioneer Day is celebrated in Utah as a major state holiday commemorating the arrival of the first major group of settlers.
Thousands line Salt Lake streets for one of the nation's largest parades. Other festivities include music, races and fireworks. But how did the original settlers celebrate the first Pioneer Day in Utah?
According to research gathered by the late Kate B. Carter of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in her 1940s book series, "Heart Throbs of the West," the first celebration wasn't held on July 24, 1848, but rather one year later on July 24, 1849 — after the pioneers had a chance to settle in and do more than just worry about basic survival.
Not surprisingly, that first celebration was religiously oriented, but it was also very patriotic. A parade, program, music and food were the main components of the first Pioneer Day.
Carter's account, apparently taken from some church records of the celebration, state:
"The inhabitants were awakened by the firing of cannon accompanied by music. The brass band playing martial airs was then carried through the city, returning to the bowery by seven o'clock . . . . At 7:30 a.m. the large national flag measuring 65 feet in length was unfurled at the top of the liberty pole, which is 104 feet high and was saluted by the firing of six guns, the ringing of the Nauvoo Bell, and spirit-stirring airs from the band."
More guns were fired at 8 a.m. and then a procession began to form at Brigham Young's house. At 9 a.m., it proceeded to the bowery.
Horace S. Eldredge, city marshal, led the parade on horseback and in military uniform. Next was a brass band, followed by 12 LDS bishops, each carrying banners of their ward. They were followed by 74 young men dressed in white, with white scarfs on their right shoulders and coronets on their heads, each carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in their right hand and a sheathed sword in their left hand. They sang hymns as they walked.
Next to proceed were 24 young women dressed in white, with white scarfs on their shoulders and wreaths of white roses on their heads. Each carried a copy of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. One woman had a banner stating, "Hail to our captain" and all the women sang as they walked.
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and other leaders followed. Next were 12 more bishops, following by the U.S. flag and a banner stating, "Liberty and truth." A 24-member adult singing group concluded the procession.
After arriving at the bowery, there were Hosanna shouts and more hymns sung. An assembly was called to order by J.M. Grant and a prayer was offered by Erastus Snow.
Then, there were more Hosanna shouts offered, banners waved and an "ode on liberty" was read.
Each bishop then collected the inhabitants of his ward and led them to dinner tables where they had a feast. Several hundred members of wagon trains passing through and 60 Indians enjoyed the food, too.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com