Days of 47 Parade

At midnight they led all the floats down the freeway to our queuing position in front of the Salt Palace. Our float was number 97 out of 114 entries, so we had a long wait. Somewhere along the way our camera died, so we drove her down the parade totally blind. Ben and Becky walked on either side with walkies-talkies and Bob drove on faith. We made it down the 45 minute route with no incidents at all, other than Bob getting a little loopy from the fumes at the very end. What a great experience!

We didn't hit the parade route until 10:35, so we had a long wait.

Waiting to start.

Inching down the line to enter the parade.

We drove right past temple square.

We're on TV!! KSL read the long story about our float.

Going down state street. Some of our turns were touch and go but we did great on the straight.

These two banner walkers were youth from Magna Stake. Their stake got the assignment for all the banners.

We understood why we were given a height limit.

All along the route people pointed and commented about the sheep. They loved the sheep.

The crowd was quite dense all along the way.

Bob, our driver, was covered in sweat when he crawled out from under the float.

She didn't break down and we didn't crash into anything. We did great!!!

Winner of the Hilda Erickson Award!

The judges came by our float early this morning as we lined up for the parade route . One of the judges told us later that our float was the most contended amount the pioneer awards, they all wanted us.  In the end we received a new award called the Hilda Erickson Award.   Sister Erickson was one of the last living pioneers and this award is given to a float that is honoring pioneer industry and creativity (or something like that).   We felt so happy (and relieved) to get an award. We worked so hard and it was nice to get some recognition.

Bob & Debbie and Kristen hold up our banner while as we queue for the parade.

More Photos from the Preview Party

Kids were invited on the float to take pictures.

Kids could pet our real live sheep!

Parade Preview (Monday)

Every Vote Counts!! Go make yours!

Days of 47 Float Preview Party

July 16 and 17, 2012 South Towne Expo Center, Sandy, Utah

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both nights; no tickets required

Update: Our float will be #9!

What to expect:

Don't forget your camera!

Our family has gone to this event for several years now.  Parking is free and relatively close.  Do wear your walking shoes though, because this event is huge; it takes most of the Expo Center.  When you walk in the door you are handed a bubble sheet and a golf pencil.  This is how you vote for your favorite float.   Then you walk into a huge room - think highschool football stadium size - full of floats.  There are amateur floats, professional floats, and then usually there are a couple from the children's parade.   It takes about an hour and a half to walk around to see them all.  Some even offer little games or activities for the kids.   All this in pleasant air conditioning!

Come and vote for our float to win the People's Choice Award.  We need your votes!

For more info about this event you can visit the Official Days of 47 Web Site




Volunteers Needed!

Each ward has been assigned a time to staff our float table during this event.  Contact your Relief Society Presidency to sign up.   They are also hoping to have some live sheep there to be petted by the kids and are looking for some sort of pen for the sheep. If you have anything like this you can comment on this post or talk with the Bowens.

Getting Ready for the Riverton Parade

I wasn't able to get any pictures of the actual parade, so if any of you have pictures or video, please send them to me.

Our spinning wheel really spins.

The biggest float in the parade, and the most colorful!

We used a big box of glitter!

The sheep in the back are doing a stick pull. You should see them in action!

There is a cute cat playing in the balls of yarn.

This spunky sheep waves goodbye.

Everyone in the stake can be proud of the work we have done.

The log cabin and tree both look fabulous!

This sheep has been eating our float for weeks. (sideways)

Queuing in line, ready to go!

Looking good