WELLSVILLE – On the 15th of September 1856, the first families came to Cache Valley to homestead the southwest part of the valley. Peter, John, and William H. Maughan, Zial Riggs, and Francis W. Gunnell, and two single men, George W. Bryan and O.D. Thompson, entered the valley.
To celebrate the founding of the community, citizens come to celebrate Founder’s Day. It is a big celebration in Wellsville, Cache County’s oldest permanent settlement.
There were 25 people in the original group that drove to a stream where they made their encampment. It was first called Maughan’s Fort. Wagon boxes were taken off, and the women prepared homes in them.
Labor Day is the time people come to celebrate the first community organized in Cache Valley. As part of the Wellsville Founders Day celebration they have all kinds of activities.
Founders Day in Wellsville kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a special guest speaker. This year Eli Lucero will be the special speaker.
Lucero is a long time resident of Wellsville who has spent 25 years with the Herald Journal as a photojournalist and has been named Photographer of the Year for Utah and Idaho twice in his career. His work has appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world.
The public is invited to hear Lucero discuss his work. The lecturer will be held in the Wellsville City Office located at 75 East Main St. at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3, the annual Wellsville Cemetery History Tour will take place. Guests are invited to meet at the entrance to the cemetery located at 400 N. 200 E. in Wellsville at 6 p.m.
The tour will be guided by knowledgeable volunteers who tell the stories of residents that have long since passed and historical tidbits they hope will pique the visitors’ interest. Some regard this as one of the best parts of the Founders Day celebration.
The Pickleball Tournament will begin on Thursday, Sept. 3 and go until Friday, Sept. 4. Formal divisions will be determined at game time.
Also, on Friday and Saturday is the Wellsville Stampede Semi-Pro Rodeo held at the arena located at 300 S. 350 W. in Wellsville. The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
The annual Founders Day race is the unofficial kickoff to Wellsville’s Founders Day Celebration, for 50 years the race brings the community together for fun fitness and tradition.
On Saturday, Sept. 5 there is a golf tournament at Logan River Golf Course with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. There is also a Movie at the Wellsville Dam with food trucks and music at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at dark.
Sunday, Sept. 6 there is a patriotic program at the Wellsville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center located at 30 South Center.
Monday, Sept. 7 is when the biggest part of the Founders Day celebration takes place, starting with a community breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the City Square Pavilion.
The booths and concessions will also be at the City Square and there is a flag ceremony by Wellsville Troup 21 at 9 a.m.
Generally, there are some 500 runners showing up kick-off the weekend. There is a 5K, 10K, and a Kids Mile.
The Founder’s Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. followed by the Sham Battle held at 200 South 100 East.
The horseshoe tournament will begin after the Sham Battle.
The band Rough Stock will provide music in the park from Noon until to 3:30 p.m. west of the Tabernacle.
Jennifer Larsen will lead Bingo at 1 p.m. Participants will meet at the city offices.
There will be bounce houses, obstacles courses and giant slides provided by Checketts Amusements for children.
There is a quilting raffle; tickets can be purchased at the city offices.
The Mt. Sterling Stampede will close out Founder’s Day activities. It will be held at the Wellsville Arena located at 300 S. 350 West.