Tens of thousands of spectators observed a 139-year-old tradition July 25 by watching the annual "Days of '47" parade in Salt Lake City.

Beginning at the Brigham Young Monument at South Temple and Main, the parade stretched nine blocks south and six blocks east, ending at Liberty Park.People of all ages lined the parade route, some of them camping on the sidewalks the previous night to ensure a good vantage point.

A cloud cover moderated the mid-summer sunshine, making for a comfortable morning temperature during most of the two-hour parade, which had the theme of "The Pioneer Spirit: Legacy of Pride."

President Ezra Taft Benson and his wife, Flora, waved to spectators as they rode in a limousine at the head of the procession.

In all, there were 161 entries, including some 30 floats created by wards and stakes in the Utah North and South areas.

These floats highlighted various events in Church history or aspects of Church doctrine.

The sweepstakes winner, for example, was the Bountiful Utah Central Stake with a float decorated in blue and white with gold trim, depicting the pioneers' departure from Nauvoo.

Another winner spotlighted the Church's 75 years as a sponsor of Scouting. The float, decorated in brown with a red rope bridge, and ridden by Scouts, was created by the Olympus 2nd Ward, Salt Lake Olympus Stake.

The 25-year-old Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii, was the subject of a float entered by the Rosecrest 1st Ward, Salt Lake Canyon Rim Stake. With spouting volcanos made in various shades of green, it won the Judging Chairman's Award.

The Salt Lake 10th Ward and Cambodian Branch teamed together on their float, "Flights to Freedom - 1847-1988." It honored pioneers in both centuries who have come long distances seeking freedom. The float featured a representation of a jet airplane superimposed in a covered wagon.

Other floats featured the Salt Lake, Manti, London, New Zealand and Toronto temples: the law of tithing: the Granite Mountain records vaults: handcart pioneers; the Relief Society's 146 years of compassionate service; the Primary's 110 years of serving young people; the Church's satellite communications; Family Home Evening; the Church in Canada; the Church in Samoa; the Seagull Monument and miracle of gulls; the Book of Mormon; the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods; the pioneer legacy of Winter Quarters; missioniary work; eternal marriage; worldwide Church growth; and Deseret Industries.

Other LDS-oriented entries included an alumni band from Liahona High School in Tonga and a train of covered wagons carrying members of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

On July 24, 1849, the Mormon settlers first staged a parade in Salt Lake City, as recorded in the Journal History of the Church for that date, and the tradition has continued. Organizers say the modern parade is the third-largest in the United States.