Shields said because of concerns of size, a decision was made by the committee two years ago to move the event from its previous location at the Wheeler Farm to the park. He said this has generated a significant increase in attendance. "When we were at the Wheeler Farm, we probably saw maybe five- to six-thousand people," Shields said. Last year was the first time the Family Fun Day was held at This Is the Place Heritage Park, drawing about 15,000 people.

Not only does the park give availability to more people, but it also gives those in attendance a chance to learn firsthand about pioneers by visiting Heritage Village, according to Michelle Whitchurch who has been going to the event off and on for about the past seven years.

"We have been doing (Family Fun Day) for several years," Whitchurch said. Having the event at a new venue has changed the perspective, she said. "It reminds us why we have Pioneer Day and it is more fun with the historic locations."

Whitchurch's 7-year-old daughter Victoria was able to make hats and dolls during the carnival, but she told the Deseret News she liked "to go fishing" the most at a fish pond game. "Oh, and I loved the popsicles."

e-mail: cneugebauer@desnews.com