From Connecticut to Switzerland and Atlanta to Hong Kong, Tuesday's Days of '47 Parade drew people from across the country and around the world.

This year's parade was a first for the Lybbert family from Columbus, Ohio. They planned a vacation to visit family coinciding with Pioneer Day.

"You don't grasp how big a deal it is out here when you live in Columbus," said Rob Lybbert, father of the family. Son John said he was "excited about all of (the parade)."

Thousands of other paradegoers lined the streets to witness the yearly tradition.

Floats decorated in this year's theme, "Pioneer Courage — A Beacon to the World," reflected the pioneers' courage in coming to Utah. Some floats also emphasized courage throughout individual lives.

President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received some of the loudest cheers of the morning when he appeared second in the parade.

The 260-member American Fork High School marching band, one of the largest in the state, performed in the parade. The band will also play in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this fall.

The Delta Air Lines float, which won the Queen's Award, featured a jungle and tropical birds. A man in a plane suit ran behind the float.

The parade also featured the traditional handcarts, wagons and people representing the Mormon Battalion. Horses and carriages were abundant. Of the 110 entries in the parade, 52 were floats.

The Sandy Crescent Park Stake won both the Sweepstakes Award and People's Choice Award. The float featured brightly colored figures and reflected the theme of courage.

The Monument Park Stake won the Children's Choice Award. The float featured monkeys, elephants and other jungle creatures. All of the floats, wagons and bands entered received warm applause.

"I thought it was awesome," said Larna Harrison of St. George after watching the parade. "It was a wonderful experience."

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E-mail: csmith@desnews.com