Days of '47

Happy Pioneer Day! For the 24th of July, I volunteered to take photos for the Days fo '47 organization. It was pretty fun. I was a little nervous, as this was a bit out of my comfort zone. But I've been trying to do things with my photographs that are outside of MY norm. This was one.

I got up very early to take photos of the marathon. Unfortunately, I don't have the photos from that on this hard drive. They are saved elsewhere. So you will have to wait in suspense for those.

Shooting the Marathon was AMAZING. I had to push and pry a little to get a spot where I could get the runners really good, but after the 5k started to wind down I didn't have any trouble. When the guy who won (from Africa) came down the block EVERYONE - I mean everyone! - started cheering, and I felt tears pushing behind my eyes. It was so moving for me. One of my "do before I die" goals is run a marathon. I would have run this one, but I was lazy and did not train whatsoever. Joe and I made a pact together that next year, all things considered, we would run at least the 10k together.

The first two guys through the finish were from Africa, the 3rd from Vale Colorado and I believe the 4th was from Provo! Awesome to have a Utahn in the top 5. The first girl finisher was from SLC! Woot! And for those of you that care, the First Place-r finished in 2 hours 17 minutes. THAT IS UNHEARD OF!!! HOLY COW!!! Just awesome.

Then, after some grubbage - yeah Denny's! - we headed up the mountain to the mouth of Emigration Canyon to enter the "This is the Place" state fair park. They had a Days of '47 festival. Although, in retrospect, I don't think that SLC looked that way in '47. I imagine more like tents. But still, very accurate. :D

I took a million photos - and had to get model releases, which was challenging, and I was grateful for an assistant... Thanks Joe. :D

Here are a *few*. Ok, here are a LOT! Enjoy!






This guy, right here? He was AWESOME to visit with. He was from Rocklin Calif., where he is the head of the Pioneer History in his stake or even possibly his area. We talked to him for about 45 minutes just about how California and the pioneers are miscredited for the civilizations there now. We talked about the battalion (hence his dress) and the "Brooklyn," a boat carrying Mormons from NYC to San Francisco. He knew so much. And he lived in Ron's old stake. (Does he look familiar, Ron? I can get you his name if you want.)


This is Brigham Young and Maryann Young; Actors, of course, who are both VERY involved in this production.




They had replicas (I hope!) of guns similar to the time period, and they were loading blanks before the flag raising ceremony.

I love the look on this girls face. Almost AWE.



Again, Maryann Young; she made all the hats you see in my photos. Amazing.


This little boy did NOT like the guns. He started crying afterwards. Then got over it to be in the parade! :D