Days of '47 parade treks through downtown

More than 15,000 people participated in one of the largest and oldest parades in the nation as the annual Days of '47 Parade took to the streets of downtown Salt Lake City Friday.Jack Willis of Salt Lake City watched with more than a dozen members of his extended family — many of them wearing umbrella hats — at the same spot on South Temple that they have occupied for each parade during the past 30 years.__IMAGE1__"We didn't have this back then," he said, pointing to his hat, "but it's a great invention."Willis said the state of the economy right now makes the parade a great, inexpensive activity for families, and he thinks it's a "wonderful cause" that he hopes continues on forever."It reminds people of Utah's heritage," he said.__IMAGE2__The pioneering parade procession started on South Temple, then wound down 200 East and onto 900 South, ending at Liberty Park. This year the parade had 148 entries, according to Jodene Smith, co-chair for the Days of '47 Parade committee."It brings a sense of unity and pride of our pioneer heritage," Smith said of the parade.Smith said the parade honors everyone from any ethnicity or religious background. "(The parade) is honoring people who came not just from LDS pioneers, but everyone."A gathering of more than 40 floats was not the only feature of the parade filling the crowded streets. Bands marched and played while horses clapped their hooves on the pavement. Antique cars from the pre-World War II era drove the route, as carriages and single riding groups moved past the crowds.Smith said it was important for people to know where they came from so they could know who they are."Everyone has a pioneer story somewhere in their genealogy, and we need an event to remind us of people who have gone before us," Smith said.