Utah Pioneer Jubilee

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Arrival

of the First Band of Pioneers

In the Valley of the Great Salt Lake

July 20 to 24, 1897

Official Program

8:00 am

9:00 am

10:30 am

Unveiling of the Monument in honor of Brigham Young and the Pioneers

Of the 2,000 or more Pioneers who entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, there are about 650 survivors. The purpose has been to assemble these survivors at Salt Lake during the Jubilee. As many of these as are physically able to do so, will meet at 9 o’clock a.m. on Pioneer Square, the spot where the first camp was made, and, preceded by the Grand Marshal and the survivors of the Nauvoo Brass Band and Ballou’s Band, will march via Third South and East Temple.

This Monument is the gift of the grateful people of Utah to the State, to perpetuate their appreciation of those who gave civilization to the Western Empire. Its shaft is surmounted by a heroic figure of Brigham Young – Utah’s great Pioneer and Statesman. Owing to the lack of time the figures of a trapper and an Indian, which will be in seating posture around the base, have not yet been placed. The conception is that of C. E. Dallin, Utah’s most famous sculptor. It was erected by popular subscription at a cost of $35,000, under the direction of the Brigham Young Memorial Association, of which James Sharp is president, Gov. Heber M. Wells secretary and E. A. Smith treasurer. The Monument is located at the intersection of East Temple and South Temple streets, in the very center of historic Salt Lake.

Public Reception to the Surviving Pioneers of 1847, at the Tabernace, includes reading of the Prize Poem by David McKenzie

3:00 pm

Bicycle races at Beck’s Hot Springs, including classes of Novice, Amateur, Professional

8:30 pm

Grand Concert at the Tabernacle in Honor of the Pioneers; Mr. and Mrs. William Jennings Bryan will be Present as Guests of Honor Pioneer Plays by Pioneer Players "Many of the players named are members of the old Pioneer Dramatic Associations organized soon after the arrival of the Pioneers”: The Charcoal Burner, Witch Scenes from Macbeth, and Family Jars

Second Day (Wednesday, July 21)

Including floats such as "Utah 1847," “First Saw Pit,” “First House in Utah,” “The Gulls and Crickets,” “The Ship ‘Brooklyn,’” “Temple Building in 1862,” “The Overland Stage,” “First Telegram Sent from Utah,” “The Prairie Schooner,” and “The Silk Worm.”

At Beautiful Saltair: Concert by Christensen’s Orchestra, Ceremony of the “Wedding of the Waters. The baptism of the Jordan River will take place at about sunset on Wednesday afternoon, July 21st.”

“Utah will arrive on the train accompanied by her attendants. On the pavilion near the wharf, they will assemble to await the arrival of Neptune and Posilidon [sic], who will start from a given point at the sounding of the trumpet. Upon their arrival fitting ceremonies will be observed by which the waters of the River Jordan of Galilee will be mingled with those of the Jordan of Utah, baptizing the young Jordan. The whole to terminate with a Grand Ball in honor of Utah and her Maids, and the County Queens.”

3:00 pm

At Beck’s Hot Springs: Football game

Base Ball at Fort Douglas

8:30 pm

Concert and Musical Contest at the Tabernacle

Pioneer Plays by Pioneer Players: A Wonderful Woman and The Toodles

Third Day (Thursday, July 22)

“As the line of children pass the monument to President Brigham Young and the Pioneers, they will throw flowers upon the Pedestal. Some of the children’s floats include “Mother Goose,” “Sego Lily,” "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater,” “The Beehive,” “Fairy Queen,” “Little Miss Muffett.” After the Parade, children continue marching to Tabernacle, where they will be seated for the following service.”

Thursday Afternoon – Thrilling Ghost Dance by a band of Indians from the reservation.

Thursday Evening – “Wild East Show” by a band of ten Arabs, headed by Sie Hassan Ben Ali.

The Wild East – A band of ten Bedouin Arabs, led by the celebrated star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Sie Hassan Ben Ali, in their startling equestrian and acrobatic feats, known as “The Moorish Phantasy.”

The Leadville Drum Corps – The famous organization in their sensational “Silent Drill.”

War and Ghost Dances by Bannock and Shoshone Warriors from the Fort Hall reservation.

Bud Snider – The World’s Champion Trick Bicycle Rider.

Daring Balloon Ascension and Parachute Jumps by Prof. Wayne Abbott.

Admission 25c; grand stand 50c; children half price.

11:00 am

Riches of the Counties: "A Revelation of the Resources and Possibilities of the State of Utah." The Parade of the Counties, included floats from ZCMI, Box Elder County, Davis County, and Emery County.

Friday Afternoon – Professor Wayne Abbott, the daring aeronaut, will make a balloon ascension and parachute jump. Concert by Full Brass Band

Gorgeous Display of Fireworks at Night.

Base Ball at Fort Douglas

Field Sports at Beck’s Hot Springs. Including Fifty-yard foot race, standing high kick, putting the shot, running broad jump, pole vaulting, bronco riding, and a tug of war.

Note – The Pioneer Parade will be the crowning feature of the Jubilee, a fitting culmination of five days’ jovial celebrations. This parade will eclipse in length, beauty and diversity of features, any other parade ever given in the United States west of the Mississippi.

The Deseret Evening News reported: "Miles of Beauty and Glory. Consolidated Pageant of Magnificence Never Before Approached in the West. The Sixth and Last of the Jubilee Processions A Superb Spectacle. Vast Throng of Spectators Filled with Enthusiastic Delight--Beyond Question the Grandest Display Ever Witnessed in the West--Six Splendid Processions United Into One, Make an All-eclipsing Finale!"

President Brigham Young’s Pioneer Council Wagon drawn by his grand-sons and grand-daughters.

8:30 pm

A Free Exhibition of Fireworks on Capitol Hill at the Head of Main Street. “This will be one of the largest pyrotechnic displays ever seen in the United States, consisting of brilliant illuminations, thousands of Roman Candles, Rockets, Bombshells, Tourbillions and Whirlwinds. A special feature will be Monster Rockets and Thirty-six inch Bombshells, the largest ever manufactured.

Three thirty-feet Balloons will ascend to a great height, displaying showers of fireworks.