WESTON –As small-town celebrations go, the Pioneer Day Celebration in Weston is the biggest event of the year. This year will be no different, beginning Saturday, July 19.
A file photo of participants pulling a hand cart in a Pioneer Day Parade.
This commemorative event will bring friends, neighbors and families to one of the town’s favorite summer activities.
Celebration of Mormon pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, has been recognized by the citizens of Weston a town just across the Utah-Idaho border for over 100 years. It was settled in 1865 by the same religious pioneers, on the west side of the Bear River.
Most of this year’s celebration will be held at the city park, 100 West Depot Street, or next to of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ building, located at 27 N. Center.
The celebration is slated to begin with a 1 mile and 5 K fun run at 7 a.m., with a flag raising ceremony at 8 a.m. The West Side High School wrestling team will be serving the fundraiser breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
One of the county’s biggest parades will begin at 10 a.m. along Depot Street, and games and vendors will begin after the parade at the city park from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The old-fashioned animal chase will take place at 11 a.m. and so will the corn hole tournament. The spikeball tournament is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m., and at 1 p.m. the Greased Pole & Foam Machine will conclude the activities for the day.
That evening the famous annual Old West Shoot Out, where good overcomes evil, by the Patriot Gunslingers will take place at Woodward’s Country Store at 7 p.m.
The annual benefit dinner this year is an opportunity to help Jaden and Lexi Smith. Their son Brenham has spent some time in Primary Children’s Hospital.
A file photo of kids searching for coins in sawdust at the Weston 24th of July celebration.
There will be live music at 8 p.m. from Rough Stock, a Malad based band, serenading those who attend.
To cap off the pioneer festivities, there will be a fireworks show at dusk.