By Nancy Van Valkenburg Jul 10, 2015
View Article on Standard-Examiner Site
OGDEN — Ogden Pioneer Days plans to showcase the best of the West, through rodeos, parades, art, song and tributes.
“I grew up in Hooper and went to the rodeo every night, and I think Pioneer Days has become a tradition for a lot of people in Northern Utah,” said Ogden Pioneer Days spokesman Jeff Haney, a former Junior Posse member.
“It provides people a type of entertainment they can’t get anywhere else. The whole celebration takes us back to where we came from, who we are, what it means to celebrate the pioneers, and what the Western U.S. is known for. The rodeos are the crowned jewel, but Ogden will host diverse events that will appeal to people of all ages and from all walks.”
Pioneer Days celebrates the arrival in the Salt Lake Valley of the first pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on July 24, 1847.
Here’s the schedule of Ogden Pioneer Day events and some other Ogden festivities taking place during the same time period.
Today, July 10
• “Traces of the West” exhibit at the First Friday Art Stroll, 7 p.m. at the Eccles Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Ave. Free.
“You stroll down a lane of Western-themed art,” Haney said. “It’s literally a look at Western culture.”
• “Trail to Pioneer Days” horses on display in downtown Ogden. These already are in place.
“At last count we had more than 60 of these painted fiberglass horses on display,” Haney said. “It’s the largest public art project we have. They are placed to lead people to Pioneer Stadium, where we have our rodeos, which were ranked one of the Top 5 rodeos by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).”
• Utah Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee celebration, 7 p.m., Union Station, 2401 Wall Ave. Free.
“It’s a tip of the hat to people in Utah who have done so much to promote the Western lifestyle,” Haney said.
July 11
• The Farmers Market official kick off, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Ogden Municipal Gardens, 344 Historic 25th St. This city-organized event will feature a Wild West Shootout, a Great Basin Antique Tractor display, and $1 stagecoach rides.
• Junior Posse Jamboree, 5 p.m. at Ogden Pioneer Stadium, 668 17th St. $2 at the gate.
“There are 10 or so Junior Posses, from Roy, Hooper and other cities, and they are kids who ride horses together and participate in activities on their horses.”
At the Jamboree, teams will be rated on their performances at barrel races and other activities, determining the nights they are featured before the PRCA Rodeos.
July 12
• Ogden Pioneer Days Devotional. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will speak at 6 p.m. at the Dee Events Center, 4444 Event Center Drive. Free.
• Lindquist Fireworks and Pop Concert, at 9 p.m. near the duck pond at Weber State University, 3848 Harrison Blvd. This annual event, sponsored by the Lindquist family and WSU, draws thousands for the concert and fireworks. Free.
July 13
• Horse & Hitch Parade, at 7 p.m., on Washington Boulevard from 18th Street to Historic 25th Street.
“This year we will have more than 600 horses, and entries from all over Utah, and some from Wyoming,” Haney said. “We’ll have horses of every kind, color, breed and size.”
July 14
• Special Kids Rodeo, at 5 p.m. at Lorin Farr Park, 769 Canyon Road. Children 18 and younger with special needs can meet cowboys, rodeo queen contestants and other rodeo celebrities, and get a chance to ride a horse or participate in activities. To register to bring a special needs child, call 801-603-1896 by July 14. Free to participants and spectators.
July 15
• Western Wishes Barrel Race, 3 p.m. at Ogden Pioneer Stadium, 668 17th St. Free.
July 16
• Andy Grammer concert, sponsored by Enable Utah, 8 p.m. at Ogden Amphitheater, 344 Historic 25th St. $25, www.smithstix.com.
July 18
• Farm Day in the City, starting at 8 a.m. in the Ogden Amphitheater. It also includes the Downtown Hoedown, 6 p.m. at Historic 25th Street, featuring music, food vendors and dancing.
July 20
• Miss Rodeo Utah Horsemanship Competition, 2 p.m. at Golden Spike Arena, 1000 N. 1200 West St. Nine contestants ride horses for the judges, and are judged on ability. Free.
• PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Ogden Pioneer Stadium. This is Standard-Examiner night, with discounted tickets ($11/adults, $7/children) when purchased before July 20 through www.smithstix.com or 800-888-8499. At the gate, adults pay $15 and children pay $10.
A 6:30 p.m. pre-rodeo, included in the ticket price, will feature features wild cow milking, Junior Posses, goat roping and mutton busting.
July 21
• PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Ogden Pioneer Stadium. This is Patriot Night, and will feature discounts at the gate for those with government or military I.D. ($4 off for adults, $3 off for children). The regular price is $15/adults, $10/children age 3-12, at the gate or through SmithsTix.
The 6:30 p.m. pre-rodeo will feature wild cow milking, Junior Posses and Mutton Busting.
July 22
• PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. at Ogden Pioneer Stadium, $15/adults, $$10/children age 3-12, at the gate or through SmithsTix. Theme: National Day of American Cowboy. From each county in Utah, a cowboy or cowgirl, or another important in maintaining Western tradition, will be recognized.
The 6:30 pre-rodeo will feature Junior Posses and mutton busting.
July 23
• Miss Rodeo Utah Fashion Show and Silent Auction, noon at Eccles Conference Center, 2415 Washington Blvd. Tickets, $45, are available through July 15 by calling 801-668-2555.
• PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Ogden Pioneer Stadium. $15/adults, $10/children age 3-12, at the gate or through SmithsTix. Arrive by 6 p.m. to see the Miss Rodeo Freestyle Horsemanship Competition. The 6:30 p.m. pre-rodeo features musical chairs, mutton busting and Junior Posses.
July 24
• The Children’s Parade is at 8 a.m., and travels Washington Boulevard between 28th Street and 25th Street. No registration is required to participate.
• The July 24th Grand Parade, 9 a.m., on Washington Boulevard, from 30th Street to 20th Street.
• PRCA Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Ogden Pioneer Stadium. $18/adults, $12/children at the gate or through SmithsTix. The pre-show rodeo includes Junior Posses, ribbon roping and mutton busting.
At about 8:30 p.m., the 2015 Miss Rodeo Utah will be named as part of the rodeo event.
Fireworks follow the rodeo.
July 25
• Cowboy poetry and music will be performed throughout the day at the Ogden Amphitheater and Municipal Gardens. Free.
A more formal concert, including to tribute to late cowboy artist Don Kennington, will follow at 7 p.m. in the Ogden Amphitheater. The 7 p.m. concert costs $5 at the gate.
Contact reporter Nancy Van Valkenburg at 801-625-4275 or nvan@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @SE_NancyVanV; on Facebook at facebook.com/SE_NancyVanV.
