"They're just a tight group of people who stayed in Murray," said Smith's son, Rex Smith, who now owns a home and horse pasture near the Jordan River.

Saturday, Murray will honor Smith for her lifetime of love and service by cheering and smiling as she passes in the horse-drawn carriage.

And though Smith doesn't love the carriage-ride idea, she will be tickled pink to wave and smile at residents of her favorite city.

E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com

Murray parade to feature rare 'Izzer' carriage

The Studebaker surrey carrying Beth Smith and her family on Saturday is one of just a handful remaining in the country.

The "Izzer" carriage was built sometime between 1880 and 1910, and would have sold for around $130.

The Smith's red and black surrey was refurbished in 1985 and has since been in multiple parades. It is pulled by 17-year-old Betsy, a small horse born and bred by an Amish family in Indiana.

The carriage has red-upholstered seats and a red-velvet awning edged in golden tassels. Small lanterns are attached to each side and the surrey is decorated with ribbons in patriotic red, blue and white.

Betsy is also costumed, her black mane sporting a red feather plume.

Izzer carriages were the most popular surreys of their time, according to research by the Smith family. They were used for city folk and businessmen and would have been a common sight on Utah Streets a century ago.

The Murray Independence Day parade starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and runs from 6100 South and State north to Vine Street, then east to 330 East, the entrance of Murray Park.

Murray parade to feature rare 'Izzer' carriage

The Studebaker surrey carrying Beth Smith and her family on Saturday is one of just a handful remaining in the country.

The "Izzer" carriage was built sometime between 1880 and 1910, and would have sold for around $130.

The Smith's red and black surrey was refurbished in 1985 and has since been in multiple parades. It is pulled by 17-year-old Betsy, a small horse born and bred by an Amish family in Indiana.

The carriage has red-upholstered seats and a red-velvet awning edged in golden tassels. Small lanterns are attached to each side and the surrey is decorated with ribbons in patriotic red, blue and white.

Betsy is also costumed, her black mane sporting a red feather plume.

Izzer carriages were the most popular surreys of their time, according to research by the Smith family. They were used for city folk and businessmen and would have been a common sight on Utah Streets a century ago.

The Murray Independence Day parade starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and runs from 6100 South and State north to Vine Street, then east to 330 East, the entrance of Murray Park.