Origins and traditions of Pioneer Day explored

“This is the place,” were the words uttered in 1847 by Brigham Young as covered wagons carrying men, women and their meager belongings entered into what is now known as the Salt Lake Valley on July 24 of that year. Pioneers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormons, were led from Nauvoo to the West by their leader, Brigham Young, in search of religious freedom. 

Getting right to work planting crops and building homes, the pioneers were very industrious. It wasn’t until two years later when they took the time to celebrate. The first celebration was held on July 24, 1849. Brigham Young led a procession from his home to a bowery on temple square where a devotional was given, music was played, and concluded with a feast. This small celebration grew over the years being referred to simply as Pioneer Day.

In 1857, when federal troops occupied the Utah territory, Pioneer Day celebrations were almost non-existence until 1862, when Lincoln introduced a hands-off policy in Utah. Celebrations resumed as normal, extending to the Intermountain West. 

Four notable years in the history of Pioneer Day were:

 1896, 48 years after Mormon pioneers reached the valley, Utah Territory became a state, celebrating Pioneer Day as a state for the first time. 

1947 was the centennial of the arrival of the Pioneers to the valley. To celebrate 100 years, “This is the Place Monument” was dedicated at the mouth of Immigration Canyon signifying Brigham Young's famous declaration, “This is the Place.” 

1997 marked the sesquicentennial of the pioneer’s arrival to the Salt Lake Valley. A three-month long journey began on April 21, 1997 when a wagon train left Omaha Nebraska to re-enact the journey the Mormon Pioneers made across the midwest, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on July 22, 1997. 

Even during the bleakest times in American History, such as World War I, the Spanish Flu epidemic, the Great Depression, and Word War II, the people of the Utah Territory continued to celebrate Pioneer Day albeit scaled back.

The large parade, originally known as “Covered Wagon Days Parade” from 1931 until the 1940s when it evolved into the Days of ’47 Parade, still draws large crowds in downtown Salt Lake City. The popular parade has only been cancelled twice, once in 1943 because of the war, and in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That year, all events for Pioneer Day were cancelled.

Most events were reinstated in 2021- Days of ’47 parade in Salt Lake City, along with the rodeo, marathon, and fireworks, hosted by the Days of ’47 organization. Ogden City also held their annual parade, rodeo, and concert. This year all events will continue fully as in years past.

While Morgan does not have organized activities for Pioneer Day, many people find it a time to take the day off, gather with family, and celebrate their pioneer heritage, with picnics, BBQs, camping, with some travelling to see parades and firework displays. Some businesses in Morgan will be closed on July 24, in observation of the holiday. 

While Pioneer Day did start out as a “Mormon Holiday” it has turned into a more secular holiday. As a counterculture response to what some still dub a religious holiday, a small group in 2014 began celebrating “Pie and Beer Day” as a play on the word pioneer, instead of the traditional Pioneer Day.  λ