Sandy's Cottonwood Creek Stake brought home the Hilda Erickson Award on Friday, July 24, after its float rolled through downtown Salt Lake City in the annual Days of '47 Parade. Parade Chair Jodene Smith said the event drew a record 147 entries.
The award honors floats that "show the pioneer legacy of determination and adaptability along a new frontier," according to the Days of '47 board of trustees. It is named for Hilda Erickson, a Swedish immigrant who walked to Salt Lake City in 1866 at age 7 and was later recognized by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers as the oldest living original pioneer. The parade itself dates to 1849, making this the 177th year of the tradition.
Sandy was well-represented on the route. The Sandy Crescent South Stake also entered a float, and Sandy City royalty, the city's pageant representatives, waved to spectators along the 200 East corridor. The parade began at 9 a.m. at South Temple and State Street, ran east to 200 East, south to 900 South, then east to Liberty Park.
Before heading downtown, the floats spent several days on display at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. They caravanned to the staging area around midnight with a Utah Highway Patrol escort. The Expo Center served as the public preview site where residents could see the community-built entries up close.
"It is just incredible to see the talent and dedication and love of our pioneers that all of the community puts into creating a float," Smith said at the preview event on Wednesday, July 23, describing the months of volunteer work behind each entry.
This year's theme was "Like, Learn, Love Pioneers," and the parade also marked the nation's semiquincentennial, 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson served as grand marshal, and President Dallin H. Oaks made a surprise appearance along the route.
Upcoming Sandy events
- Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29 — Death Cab for Cutie's "I Built You a Tower" World Tour (with Nation of Language) at the Sandy Amphitheater, 9400 S. 1300 East. Gates open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets available through Ticketmaster or the box office (801-568-6097).
- Saturdays through October 17 — Sandy City Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sandy Amphitheater Park, 1245 E. 9400 S. Accepts SNAP/EBT with Double Up Food Bucks.
