SANTA CLARA — Santa Clara’s annual Swiss Days takes place Thursday through Saturday, celebrating the city’s pioneer heritage in an event that’s been taking place since 1990. This year’s theme is “Spreading Our Branches from Strong Roots,” and festivities include a parade, a 5K, a pancake breakfast and a car show.
Swiss members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled in Santa Clara in 1861, according to the Santa Clara Swiss Days Web page, and Swiss Days is an opportunity to honor the settlers who stood together to make the city what it is today.
Swiss Days kicks off from Town Hall, 2603 Santa Clara Drive in Santa Clara, Thursday evening at 5 p.m. with a fundraiser dinner to support the Santa Clara Fire Department. At 6 p.m., join Santa Clara Mayor Rick Rosenberg on a Mayor’s Walk through the city, and cap the evening off with the opening ceremonies, which will includie appearances by the Santa Clara City Royalty, Miss Utah and the introduction of the grand marshal and volunteer of the year.
There will be live entertainment all weekend, including a free concert by the Truman Brothers from Nashville, Tennessee, Friday from 8-10 p.m. Featured performances will also include The Lawn Darts, The Hubcaps, Dixie Strings, Tuacahn Center for the Arts and many more.
Saturday morning, there will be a pancake breakfast at Town Hall from 7:30-9:30 a.m. The cost is $3 for a plate stacked with pancakes, eggs, sausage and more.
The parade will be immediately after the breakfast Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. and proceeding along Santa Clara Drive. The route runs east from Chapel Street past Town Hall.
There are still lots of ways to get involved in Swiss Days: the 5K, the pie baking contest and the Red Rocks Car Show.
“Our 5K is always a big deal in Santa Clara,” Lainee Frei, event promoter, said.
There will be a little something for everyone, with a golf tournament at Sunbrook taking place Friday at 8 a.m.; an art and quilt show happening Friday from 2-8 p.m.; and children’s games on Santa Clara Drive Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A full schedule can be found online.
Residents and businesses in Santa Clara should be aware that Santa Clara Drive will be closed Saturday morning for the 5K run/walk and the parade. The road will be closed 6-8 a.m. and 9-10:30 a.m.
New this year, Santa Clara Drive will also be closed between Heights Drive and about 2699 Santa Clara Drive from 9 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. The reason for the closure is that this year, vendor booths are going to be on the road, right under the large sycamore trees to showcase the theme “Spreading Our Branches from Strong Roots.”
Because of the road closures, shuttles will be running from the different events Friday and Saturday. The Friday shuttle runs 5-9:30 p.m., and signs for it can be found on Santa Clara Drive. The Saturday shuttle runs 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. with multiple stops; follow the signs to parking lots and catch one of six shuttles.
Shuttle maps are available online or prior to the event at the Santa Clara City Office. Watch for interruption during the parade and 5K. Call 435-673-6712 ext. 201 for more information on parking and shuttle service.
“It’s a Santa Clara celebration, and we hope that residents come out and enjoy themselves,” Frei said.
Event details
- What: Santa Clara Swiss Days
- When: Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 24-26
- Where: Santa Clara, various locations
- Details: Santa Clara Swiss Days Facebook | Schedule | Web page
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