ST. GEORGE — The history of Southern Utah’s many pioneers was presented to revelers in spectacular fashion at Legend Solar Stadium in St. George during “The Pioneer Legacy” pageant and fireworks show presented by Merrill Osmond Monday night.
Country music star Nathan Osmond emceed the pre-show at the packed stadium, which featured a display by the Flying Rocket Man and performances by local artists.
Over 150 youth made up the pageant’s cast, which included re-enactments of the stories of Mormon settlers and other cultures in Southern Utah, showcasing the region’s history alongside a massive fireworks show.
During the pre-show, the “Pioneer Legacy Award” was presented to the Atkin family, whose ancestors, William and Rachel Atkin, settled on 160 acres of uninhabited land in the present day location of SunRiver. Their descendants include the founder of SkyWest Airlines, among many other entrepreneurs.
Proceeds from the show benefited the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund to provide hearing technology from Intermountain Audiology to three deaf children from the Washington County School District.
See St. George News’ “Pioneer Legacy” coverage in the media player top of this report and photo gallery below.
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Country music star Nathan Osmond sings alongside an audience member in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Country music star Nathan Osmond chooses an audience member to sing along with him in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Audience members at Legend Solar Stadium watch "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Audience members at Legend Solar Stadium watch "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Audience members at Legend Solar Stadium watch "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Country music star Nathan Osmond emcees "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Audience members pack Legend Solar Stadium to watch "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Fireworks blast off at "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in a dramatic scene as fireworks blast off in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Actors perform in "The Pioneer Legacy," a production of Merrill Osmond about the history of Mormon settlers in Southern Utah, St. George, Utah, July 24, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph Witham is a passionate journalist who has written, reported and edited for various publications since 2001. He is a Utah Valley University graduate with a bachelor's degree in communication. He loves Southern Utah's outdoors and hikes often in the region's red-rock canyons.