One of Salt Lake's oldest neighborhoods will play host to a short parade Friday night that participants say will celebrate more than just the area's religious past.
Members of the Salt Lake 10th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have long wanted to commemorate a tradition that began with their pioneer forefathers, who welcomed numerous companies of religious refugees to the Salt Lake Valley with a short "parade" featuring music by the 10th Ward Brass Band. The modern congregation, which is housed in a restored chapel on 400 South and 800 East, has spearheaded organization of a neighborhood parade.
Earl Gillmore, who represents the co-sponsoring Sons of the Utah Pioneers, said the event was originally planned for July, but city officials declined to issue the necessary permit because the annual Days of '47 events included three parades, and residents needed a break. Gillmore said his group and 10th Ward leaders had issued invitations to everyone in the area, inviting their participation.
Pastor Rowland Nwosu of Central Seventh Day Adventist Church — which is located one block south of the 10th Ward — talked with ward leaders about the event and even planned to have his choir participate. But when the city declined the permit, Pastor Nwosu assumed the event had been canceled, he said.
Last weekend, Pastor Nwosu saw flyers posted on power poles outside his church announcing that the parade would be held this Saturday morning — during the same hours his congregation meets for worship.
"I just felt disappointed that they had decided to plan it then. There are only three or four houses between their church and our church, and with 800 East blocked off we would have no place to park."
The pastor approached 10th Ward leaders on Sunday morning to express his concern, and they talked with a representative in the mayor's office about changing the time to Friday night. The arrangements have been secured, and Friday's parade will take place at 7 p.m. on 800 East between 400 South and 800 South.
Though there won't be a large number of entries — Gillmore figures about 15 at this point — they will include handcarts, the Mormon Battalion, the revived 10th Ward Brass Band and, hopefully, the Seventh Day Adventist Church choir, if members can arrange their schedules to attend, Pastor Nwosu said.
Gillmore, who also serves as a docent at This Is the Place State Park, said he's hoping not only to celebrate the 10th Ward's heritage, but to help bond those who live in the area — which has become home to many apartments and more transitory housing — in a celebration of religious and cultural freedom for all.
"That's one of the unique features of it; if you are new to the community, you're more than welcome to just join in the parade and be welcomed to the valley, just like all the wagon trains and handcarts were before."
Pastor Nwosu said he appreciates the willingness to reschedule the event so his services can proceed uninterrupted. He said he would like to work with the ward leaders in the future to plan a mutual celebration after both parties "agree on the basis of what we will be celebrating. There's nothing wrong with us enjoying each other's histories. If it's going to be a yearly event, (we) probably need to agree on what we will be parading about.
"There is a common history here. We appreciate the Mormon history, their fight for religious freedom, and we have been advocates for religious freedom in this country, and especially in this state, where we have predominantly one religion. It's important for us all to recognize that minority religions have their rights as well."
E-MAIL: carrie@desnews.com