Hundreds of spectators cheered and clapped as Day's of '47 Parade entries - boasting variations of the theme "Faith in Every Footstep" - rolled slowly along the streets of downtown Salt Lake City July 24.

Local city and county officials, religious leaders and royalty rode dozens of floats, horse-drawn carriages and convertible cars in the parade honoring the Mormon Pioneers of 1847. But the biggest cheers came for the parade's final entry - a group that did not ride on fancy floats or walk to the music of a marching band. Instead members of the historic wagon train re-enactment traveled the parade route as the last leg of their 1,070-mile, 93-day journey along the Mormon Trail. Riding in wagons, pushing handcarts and wearing pioneer style clothing, trekkers had traveled from Winter Quarters, Neb., now a part of Omaha, to Salt Lake City.Spectators, without prompting, rose to their feet to greet the tired, sunburned modern-day pioneers.

"You pioneers can appreciate how much we appreciate you," an announcer said over the loud speaker as the wagon train passed. "You have our standing ovation."

Only Church leaders received a similar reception from parade spectators.

As the Grand Marshal, President Gordon B. Hinckley, accompanied by his wife, Marjorie, rode near the front of the parade, sporting leather riding gloves and a cowboy hat.

President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Frances; President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Ruth; and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve and chairman of the Church Sesquicentennial Committee, and his wife, Barbara, also participated in the parade.

About 20 percent of the parade's 129 entries were organized by Church groups - a number of which won one or more awards for their entries.

The Salt Lake Grant Stake float symbolized the footsteps of faith taken by pioneer mothers - who demonstrated love, wisdom, skill, industry, dedication, friendship and beauty. Their float was made of 150 quilts, representing 150 years since the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. "We wanted to convey a lot of symbolism," said Pat McAllister of the 6th Ward. "The quilt seemed to symbolized everything mothers do."

The Draper Utah Stake float honored modern-day pioneers who leave their home in search of a wholesome place to raise their children. The float depicted children, parents, grandparents and pets traveling in the family car. "The goal was to show the family progressing together, step by step, to reach a goal," said Steve Howcroft of the Draper 4th Ward.

The Salt Lake Bonneville Stake paid tribute to the pioneers who crossed the plains carrying trees in their wagons. Just as early Church members planted the trees when they reached the Salt Lake Valley, stake members planned to plant their trees after they reached the end of the parade route.

Other Church floats illustrated the parade's theme with angels helping handcart pioneers, temples being constructed around the world, and missionary work.

In addition to LDS entries, floats, marching bands, horse teams, antique cars and clowns were provided by business, civic organizations and other religious groups.

Cheryl and Dennis Ward, Hillcrest 6th Ward, Hillcrest Utah Stake, have attended the Days of '47 Parades more than a dozens times. This year, however, they had an extra reason to be there.

Brother Ward's father rode with the sesquicentennial wagon train from Omaha, Neb. - and they were there to greet him and the other trekkers.