By Margaret Dayton
Utah State Senator

Of course Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah – but our pioneer history is shared w/many in the west. July 24 is not a state holiday in Wyoming – but my family and I have been celebrating Pioneer Day every year in Wyoming for over 3 decades. This weekend, following tradition, we traveled to Cokeville, Wyoming – my husband’s hometown. It is an impressive agrarian community of about 500 people, but the July 24 celebration doubles and sometimes triples the population. Since July 24 fell on a Sat this year, there was no question when the celebration would take place. (Since Pioneer Day is not a state holiday in Wyoming, however, the celebration takes place on the weekend closest to the 24th in other years.)

So what is so special about July 24th in Cokeville, Wyoming? In my mind it is the perfect celebration. The fun begins on Friday with family gatherings, a movie in the city park, and class reunions. This year, 5 years of graduates joined together for their class reunion. My husband’s class was included in that group. I’m always pleased to point out that my husband was the student body president his senior year, and he was 1st chair trombone in their award-winning dance band, and he participated in basketball and football, was president of FFA, and was also the class valedictorian! In his self-effacing manner, he reminds me that there were only 14 in his class – but I am convinced he would have been valedictorian if the class has been 1400. Anyway, about 50 people gathered for the class reunions of the 5 classes on Friday night.

The real Pioneer Day events, however, begin on Sat. morning. There is a parade down Main Street. It is the perfect parade. Flags, floats, and lots of horses, follow the Grand Marshall riding in a horse-drawn buggy. The Grand Marshall is always a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who comes at the invitation of Elder Perry who, having married a Dayton, also spends the ‘holiday’ weekend in Cokeville. As usual, the parade began today at 10:00 – and by 10:15 it was turning around to come back by a second time. My favorite float this year featured 4 generations of women and included my 100-year old Mother-in-law.  There was also a 1918 grader pulled by a1949 tractor. This parade not only includes unique entries, but every entry throws lots of candy – and the kids along the parade route bring sacks to fill as the parade goes down and back.

A special Pioneer Program is next at the Mormon Church on the corner of Main and Dayton Streets. The Grand Marshal always gives an inspiring message – and the Cokeville choir fills the choir loft – almost blocking from view the large-as-life paintings of Peter the Apostle and the Pioneers – both original Minerva Tiechert pieces painted for the church where she worshiped.

At noon, the celebrants enjoy a BBQ – the menu is always the same (why change a great tradition) of roast beef and dutch oven potatoes, corn and cole slaw and cupcakes. The afternoon includes football games, a rodeo and the day ends with a dance. Now I don’t want to disrespect in any way the amazing Days of 47 Parade and celebrations, nor any other well planned and impressive remembrance of our pioneer heritage. There may be many great ones – and I may be prejudice – but I’m convinced, it doesn’t get better than the celebration in Cokeville, Wyoming.

I hope everyone had a great Pioneer Day, wherever you happened to celebrate it.