O, Pioneers

"Completing a treacherous thousand-mile exodus, an ill and exhausted Brigham Young and fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints arrived in Utah's Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The Mormon pioneers viewed their arrival as the founding of a Mormon homeland, hence Pioneer Day. The Mormons, as they were commonly known, left their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, and journeyed West seeking refuge from religious persecution. The final impetus for their trek was the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.

Determined to settle in an isolated region, the pioneers made their way across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to Utah. They lost many of their party to disease during the winter months. By the time that they reached Utah, the desolate valley was a welcome sight. Potatoes and turnips were soon planted, and a dam was built. With solemn ceremonies, the settlers consecrated the two-square-mile city, and sent back word that the "promised land" had been found. By the end of 1847, nearly 2,000 Mormons had settled in the Salt Lake Valley.

July 24 is still celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah and several other Western states. The bravery of the original settlers and their strength of character and physical endurance is commemorated with festivities including games and music, speeches, parades, rodeos, and picnics." (From the Library of Congress, Today in History)

Here in Tucson, we celebrate the 24th of July in November. It's just too darn hot in July. Some descendants of the original Tucson pioneers relate stories of their ancestors saying if they had to choose between hell and Tucson, they would choose hell. One of the early settlers, when informed of his "mission" to Tucson, threw down his hat, spat upon the ground, uttered "Dammit!" not entirely under his breath, and moved to Tucson.

The local Pioneer Day celebration took place on Saturday at the Binghampton Family park, where the mormons first settled the Tucson area. The park is named for the Bingham and Hampton families, who bravely settled here before air conditioning. This was far from the actual town of Tucson at the time. The Bingham family still maintains the little LDS cemetery nearby.

There were no parades or fireworks like we experience in Utah, but there was a little barrel train and two bounce houses! Nicco didn't care for the jumping castle because they let about 10 kids in (contrary to the 4 kid limit recommended by the manufacturer) of mixed ages. Nicco was a little intimidated by the 10 year olds bouncing with him. He preferred the inflatable obstacle course. I didn't blame him, and I only had to yell at the big kids twice to stop hiding in the middle and harrassing the littles. I did overhear this gem of a stupid joke while standing in line: "How do you know it's raining cats and dogs?...You step in a poodle." Ha ha!

Nicco rode the train 4 times, because there were 4 cars and Mr. OCD had to ride in each one in order, starting from the back. That's his little buddy Caleb on the left.

Coming around the bend...

He finally made it to the front car. Just in time for us to wander up to where the remnants of deep pit BBQ were being served.

We were treated to a variety of musical entertainment including family choirs, barbershop quartets, mariachi bands (Patrice said incredulously "There are Mexican Mormons?") and a Celtic number.

It was a fine celebration of culture and unity in 85 degrees.