WASHINGTON CITY — Splintered wagon wheels and homeless nationalities.

A steady string of uprooted New England and European Latter-day Saints pressing forward through lethal trails across the unsettled American frontier, hand carts and wagons single file in pain and under ruthless skies.

With a sick-yet-intrepid Brigham Young in-tow, these pioneers finally settled their morose parade in the Salt Lake Valley, 175 years ago, July 24, 1847.

Saturday’s Pioneer Day parade in Washington City couldn’t have been more different — motorized, air-conditioned, a couple city blocks in length, healthy children throwing candy while dressed in astronaut and superhero costumes. Yet, despite the completely opposite tone and technology, Washington City still managed to express reverence and respect for the state’s pioneer ancestors.

An enthusiastic team of Lions Club members served pancakes and eggs to hundreds of guests streaming through Veterans Park at 7 a.m., an hour before the parade began. Bright yellow Lions Club banners stood around the park’s bustling pavilion. Meanwhile, dozens of empty lawn chairs lined Telegraph Street 50 yards away — some locals had reserved their street-side seats hours before.

As attendees meandered toward Telegraph Street after their breakfast, Lions Club member Bonnie Henrie sat with her family and explained what Pioneer Day means to her.

“We celebrate Pioneer Day to reaffirm that we appreciate and greatly respect the ancestors who made decisions that have paid off through the eons,” Henrie said. “For those of us that follow their example, and also as a community member, we bear responsibility to make this a healthy community.”

“We’re all pioneers, in one way or another. You are, even if you moved here with boxes in the back of your Volkswagen. You’re still a pioneer. You’re making choices to settle here, and if you’re a person that cares about other people in any way and have relationships, you’ll want to form a community — that’s pioneering.”

Jake Henrie, a Washington City resident and relative of Bonnie Henrie, spoke of the personal applicability he sees in his own pioneer heritage that helped settle Snowflake, Arizona.

“Just knowing that there’s a legacy of faith, hard work and dedication allows me to strive to be like that as well,” he said. “In my own life, I’m not crossing the plains or settling a new place per se, but there’s a lot of things that I am pioneering in my own life and my family’s life. I can look back and see that faith and dedication from my ancestors gives me hope and faith and help.”

A full hour of floats cruised through Telegraph Street, led by a tractor-pulled Washington City Council. The driver and owner of the tractor, Tommy Cooper, is the city’s reigning Cotton Days tractor-pull champion. 

Latter-day Saint missionaries, air conditioning companies, a man riding a camel, and traditionally dressed pioneers were just some of the eclectic parade participants. A handful of Washington City police officers blocked off entry to the short stretch of Telegraph Street while other officers on bicycles casually wove through the crowds.

Mayor Kress Staheli traveled from individual to individual across the parade grounds, meeting and greeting attendees for hours.

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “There was more participation this year than there’s been in a long time.”

Like the Henries, Staheli conveyed his respect for the original pioneers 175 years ago.

“It’s important that we remember our roots, to remember the work and sacrifice that it took to settle this great state, and for those that gave so much to prepare the way for what we have today. 

“Also, it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity to get together and just have good hometown family fun with your neighbors and local businesses. It’s good to celebrate our heritage and who we are.”

The Lions Club continued to serve breakfast even after the parade concluded. 

Bonnie Henrie said the Lions Club is looking for more members, and those interested in joining this philanthropic organization should call Lions Club member Mike Harless at 435-429-3235.

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