Hundreds have a ball at This Is the Place Heritage Park dance

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds traveled back to the time of pioneers and country group dancing at Brother Brigham's Ball Friday.

"I think it's fantastic," said Karin Ubeda, who brought her whole family to the ball. "I think it's great to be able to kind of go back to your roots. It's great for the kids, too, to be able to experience and appreciate pioneers."

Attendees at the second annual dance at This Is the Place Heritage Park were dressed in costumes ranging from a pair of jeans and a plaid button-down shirt to authentic-looking petticoats and bonnets.

The Ubedas moved to Utah from Australia about a year and half ago. So this year's Pioneer Day is only their second. Ubeda said it's all new to them.

"We really enjoyed (the ball) last year, and the kids had a great time doing the dancing and stuff," she said.

Friday, Karin Ubeda was accompanied by her husband, David, and their five children, plus a business partner and his six children. She said it's going to become an annual tradition for their friends and family to attend the pioneer ball.

"They love it," David Ubeda said. "We will absolutely come next year."

Families of all ages kicked up their heels, having some old-time fun as they learned multiple pioneer dances in the large grass backyard of the Brigham Young Farmhouse. The 7th Infantry Regimental Band supplied the music while the Old Glory Dancers taught everyone how to move.

Brother Brigham's Ball was created as a collaborative effort between This Is the Place and the Utah Sons and Daughters of Pioneers.

"Because dancing was such an integral part of having fun during the early days in Utah, we thought it would be fun to bring it back," said Tresha Kramer, director of marketing at This Is the Place.

The ball is inspired by the numerous dances and grand balls that Brigham Young hosted both in Salt Lake City and at his farm home.

e-mail: apierce@desnews.com