SALT LAKE CITY -- Days of 47, the week-long celebration of Utah’s pioneer heritage, kicked off Saturday with a youth parade that marched along 500 South in Salt Lake City.
More than 5,000 children participated in the Days of 47 Union Pacific Youth Parade, and many people said the parade is a good warm up for the parade that happens on Pioneer Day.
Parade goer Jack Wixom said he feels gratitude toward the pioneers who settled Utah.
“I think all of us have the harken back to our pioneer heritage,” he said. “We are here because they had the guts to come, and we are just grateful to be here.”
Many of the parents in the crowd said they remember marching in the parade as children, and now their children are following in their footsteps.
“I think it's just because of the heritage of the state,” Parade goer Michelle Fullmer said. “It's a tradition. I remember when I was small, and I wanted to give that to my kids.”
