I remember growing up in California and hearing from Mom and Dad that "today is Pioneer Day" and thinking "Who cares and what's the big deal?" Well, I realized why it's a big deal. It's a pretty significant holiday here in Utah.
I'm curious to hear how people spent their Pioneer Day, especially those out of state. Do Iowegans, Oklahomans, and Ohioans celebrate the holiday? Any ward activity? Or was is just a passing thought, much like it was for me many years ago in California? Chime in, folks.
I know most the Utahans in our family spent it together and hiked to the Grotto, but I couldn't get away from work. I got home a little before 7pm and after dinner at home and ice cream treats at McDonald's, Jen and I watched "Deja Vu" -- rental from RedBox -- while the girls attempted to fall asleep. Not that significant a day for us...
3 comments:
We didn't do a single thing to celebrate it. It is a passing thought here in Oklahoma. We had a sharing time about pioneers a few weeks ago but that is it.
Growing up in Ohio I had never heard of Pioneer day, not once. When I went to Ricks College I heard about it and then all my roomates told me what it was really about. It was then in Idaho I learned about the whole reason for the day. Here in Iowa they don't mention it. I haven't heard anything about it. So I'm thinking it's an Idaho and Utah thing.
We actually used to celebrate this in Nebraska as a ward. Sometimes we would have a children's parade around the church or something of that sort. Sometimes we would have a ward picnic. Our wards in California did the same thing.
When I was growing up, the 24th of July was the single biggest event in Cokeville, WY. I could hardly wait for the day! Everybody that was related to anybody that lived in Cokeville came (and they still do!). Relatives from Utah would come. Friends (relatives of others in Cokeville) came and we had a blast. There was a parade which I usually was in because I would ride a horse (not sure there were any town members on the sidelines to watch because most of us were on horses). I particpated in the rodeo later with my 4-H club as we did routines with our horses and then we'd sit on Dad's truck trailer bed and watch the rest of the rodeo. My brothers were either riding sheep, chasing a greased pig or roping as they got older. There were games for all the kids (races and relays) in the park after the parade. There was a big dance for the entire town held in the church cultural center that night. It was the most fun day of the entire year!
On the other hand, I only remember celebrating the 4th one year -- we had a picnic up Smith's Fork at the Guffy Place. Isn't that odd -- we didn't celebrate the 4th but the 24th in Wyoming was as big as in Utah as far as a celebration for such a tiny town could be.
It's usually too hot on the 24th for us to do much now. We've gone to a few of the parades but the rest of the day is generally quiet except for a BBQ that evening.
(Must be getting old.)
Mom
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