When Norma Jones was 11 years old, she was "Uncle Sam" in a local Pioneer Day children's parade that marched around Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. But she wasn't very happy about it.

She wanted to be the Statue of Liberty."I was angry that my mother didn't put me in as the Statue of Liberty. I was jealous of the girl who was," recalled Sister Jones, who is now 67. "We were in the front part of the parade. I remember carrying a small flag, but the thing I was concerned with was everyone was looking at the Statue of Liberty."

Sister Jones' mother, who was president of the Liberty Stake Primary at the time, organized the event at the request of the Primary general presidency. That parade, held in the late 1930s, was a precursor of things to come - for both the community and for Sister Jones.

Today, she is chairman of the annual Days of '47 Youth Parade, which includes dozens of miniature floats featuring children and youth from throughout Utah's Wasatch Front as they have their own celebration commemorating the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. This year's parade on July 22 included 71 entries and some 4,500 children marching to the theme, "Catch the Pioneer Spirit."

On a warm, sunny morning, the young people walked the six-block parade route, along with representatives of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, clowns, Boy Scouts, bands, dancers and motorcycle police officers. Those participating in this year's parade were organized under a pioneer section, a patriotic section, a story-time section and a historical section.

Grand marshal of the 1995 Days of '47 Youth Parade was Salt Lake City actor James Arrington, who was dressed as Brigham Young and rode in a carriage with his wife, Lisa, and their children, Joseph, Suzanna and Kati Rose. Also riding in the parade were Primary Gen. Pres. Patricia P. Pinegar and her counselors, Anne G. Wirthlin and Susan L. Warner.

Sister Jones has been chairman of the Youth Parade Committee for 10 years, and has vivid memories of that early parade when she was a little girl.

"It's just so important that each child is made to feel special, whatever they do," she told the Church News. "If I had a wish, it would be that I could hug every child who participated. They are so special to me and all the people who are associated with helping with the parade."

Sister Jones added, "I think we should give more emphasis and more love and energy to the children."

Lots of love and energy seemed to have been poured into this year's parade, as evidenced by the creativity and variety of entries. One entry, from the Bountiful Utah Stake, featured the 12 tribes of Israel. Dozens of children represented the various tribes. One child in each group carried a staff on which was a symbol of a particular Israelite tribe.

The Salt Lake East Millcreek North Stake depicted the theme, "Plant the Pioneer Spirit." Children walked behind their float, which included replicas of various fruits and vegetables growing in a garden. Above the garden was a miniature smiling sun, which rotated in half-turns. Over the sun was a colorful rainbow.

As the children from this stake passed by cheering spectators, the parade's narrator said, in speaking for the stake: "Our prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, raised gardens, fruit trees, flowers and his family in our East Mill Creek community. Today, we celebrate planting the pioneer seeds of faith, courage, hard work and charity in the lives of our children."

Another unique entry came from the Fairmont Ward and the Wells Ward of the Salt Lake Granite Stake. The ward's theme, "Bee Industriouz as Pioneerz," was portrayed by a float on which was a replica of a beehive, about 51/2 feet tall and six feet in diameter. Around the beehive flew little bees attached to poles rotated by small motors within the beehive. Dozens of children dressed as bees followed.

The float's designer, Bishop Paul Mecham of the Fairmont Ward, had been creating the float in his mind for some time, he related. "I've had the float running around in my mind for about five years."

Looking back over the recent months preparing for the parade, he explained: "It's been a challenge - the design and construction of the float. It's something that I've enjoyed."

As a management analyst with public utilities, he added: "I don't use my hands much. This has been kind of fun for me putting the float together, as opposed to sitting at a desk."

In speaking of Bishop Mecham's efforts, Sister Jones said: "It has been such a joy to see him follow this through with excitement and enthusiasm and love for the children. It was cute."

Sister Jones wants many in the community - regardless of faith or ethnic background - to join in the enthusiasm. "It's a community event," she noted. Various other faith groups have entered the parade in the past. Sister Jones hopes many more will participate in the future.

Expressing gratitude for all who helped in the parade, such as Helene Smith, who has been on the Youth Parade Committee for 29 years, Sister Jones added: "The one thing I've tried to do is make this a fun experience for everyone. This will be a lifetime memory."