Annual parade draws thousands to the streets of S.L.

Colorful floats, pageant royalty, marching bands and automobiles with waving dignitaries made their way through the streets of Salt Lake City Saturday during one of the largest and longest-running parades in America — Utah's traditional Days of '47 celebration.

The parade drew thousands of spectators, some from as far away as Salt Lake's sister city, Keelung, Taiwan. Thousands more watched the event live on local television.

The parade was one of many events marking Pioneer Day — from Provo's Pioneer Day Extravaganza and pioneer village to sunrise services, community breakfasts, concerts and twilight fireworks throughout the state of Utah . . . even a karaoke contest in Emery County.

Sleeping bags, coolers, blankets and thousands of lawn chairs lined Salt Lake's downtown streets early Saturday as fans waited for the 9 a.m. Days of '47 procession to begin.

Volunteers for various political campaigns also made the parade rounds, hoping to garner more support before the upcoming election. Paradegoers ate Mark Shurtleff Popsicles, carried John Swallow balloons, waved Peter Corroon fans and wore Huntsman/Herbert stickers.

But for some, the festivities began Friday, when they began securing the perfect viewing spot. Hundreds of people lined the parade route Friday night, ready to spend the evening on the street and cope with the all-night party so they could occupy a front-row seat for the parade.

Members of the Gunnerson family, who were still recouping from a wedding celebration the day before the parade, camped out at the same "coveted spot" on South Temple they have saved for nine years — one they didn't want revealed in the newspaper because of its great location.

"It's so fun, everyone's alive," said Bethany Gunnerson, still bundled up in a sleeping bag. "This is something generations (of family) can celebrate."

Gunnerson, her sister and cousins, who also spent the night mere feet away from the normally busy South Temple, were functioning on four hours of sleep from the loud evening.

The Gunnersons' relatives, the Jensens, have been coming to the Days of '47 parade from San Diego for four years.

"It's a little different for my kids to see most of the floats done by the (LDS) church," said Jan Jensen, "but it's good for them to see their heritage."