Days of ’47 Youth Parade: Press Forward Pioneers
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SALT LAKE CITY
Zach Van Weezep of the Oakridge Farms Ward, Farmington Utah Oakridge Stake, laughed with friends and primary leaders as he eagerly awaited his turn in the Days of ’47 Youth Parade. His black cowboy hat shielded his face from the sun and he twirled a sign that read “Wave Hello.” When the announcer called his stake he held up the sign and began to sing.
Zach, 10, grinned at the spectators and sang the song ”If you're happy and you know it,” as the group traveled west on 500 South toward Washington Square “Walking,” Zach said, was his favorite part of the parade. He thought of the “pioneers and what they went through,” as he walked and also recalled the beloved primary song “Pioneer Children Sang as the Walked.”
Zach’s mother, Kim Van Weezep, was also in the Youth Parade. She had heard stories from her grandmother, Eva Vallon, about the Days of ’47 Parade and told Zach about his great-grandmother participating in the “big parade.”
“I never met her and I like hearing stories about her childhood,” Zach said. The legacy of parade continued in their family as mother and son participated in the Youth Parade held July 16.
“I hope it will be something he will remember,” Sister Van Weezep said. She considered it a privilege to be able to walk in the Youth Parade. A lot of planning went in to the parade, which included around 5.000 children.
Jodene Smith of the West Jordan Welby Stake and Jim Williams were volunteer Youth Parade co-chairs this year. Sister Smith said last September a committee met to decide on the theme of the parade. Songbooks and pioneer books were gathered and words were put together to come up with the subject. This year’s theme was “Press Forward Pioneers.” Around 50 entries including 20 LDS stake floats participated this year in the parade, which traces its beginnings to 1943.
Many memories will be taken from the 2011 Days of ’47 Youth Parade. For some it may be the motorcycles and bands. Others may remember the children as they laughed and waved to the crowd.
Sister Smith said the most important thing is the children’s “happiness and that they have a good time and it is a good memory for them.”
