This is my 7th year as an Adviser to the Days of 47 Royalty. What a privilege it is for me to associate with such amazing women who represent their pioneer heritage so well. I love being a part of celebrating the pioneers, who sacrificed so much to create a Zion in the Salt Lake valley and throughout the West. Here the 2015 Royalty are making friends at the Murray City Parade, one of seven parades that they participated in.
The kids love 'em, the mascots love 'em, everyone does! Kaitlin, Madeline and Christina truly wore their crowns well. It's a busy summer and year as they attend about 50 events, speaking at many of them.
July 4th "Liberty Days" at "This Is the Place Heritage Park". They were near winners in the Watermelon Contest and did their pioneer ancestors proud by getting their faces watermelon "dirty"...no hands!
Christina and Kailin "going at it"!
Queen Madeline Field. All three were returned missionaries this year!
We ran into the Jackson family...all 10 of them! They were there to support their oldest sister who was in pioneer dress playing the fiddle. Grace, on my left, is currently dating lucky Ben.
Just before a TV interview with Brooke and Brittany Graham on Fox News 13. They did a great job!
On July 18th, the Youth Parade is held with wonderful floats sponsored by some of the Primaries in the valley. It is one of the largest youth parades in the nation with some 5,000 children participating. It's always a treat for the Royalty to meet the General Primary Presidency.
Right after the Youth Parade, a Family Festival is held in Washington Square, the city block with the City County Building. The Royalty had a booth and were kept busy meeting their fans, mostly girls who are in awe of these friendly princesses. Judy Binns on the right is my partner as the other Adviser to the Royalty. She is so fun to work with and keeps us all "on our toes". We missed Christina this day as she was at a family wedding.
The Float Preview Party is held for two days, just before the big Parade on the 24th. It's held in the Sandy Expo Center and the hall is filled with floats. It's amazing to see them up close and be able to view the detail and creativity of each float.
The dragon on this float was spectacular, but I loved the family "forging" together to fight off the "dragons" that they may face.
The figures on this float were so life-like and beautiful and depict the "Miracle of the Quails" pioneer story.
Here we are at the Bountiful Parade. One perk for me is to be able to drive some cool cars such as this jeep.
July 24th Sunrise Service starting at 7:00 am, following a late night at the Rodeo, but well worth getting up for. This is always such an inspiring devotional of music and word dedicated to a pioneer theme. The speakers this year were friends I grew up with in the Valley View 1st ward, Dale and Ruth Lybbert Renlund. So fun to see them!
This year new gowns came with the float. Our Queens did look queenly!
After the Parade we attended the Open House at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum. In the glass case are the original dresses and hats worn by the Days of 47 Royalty at the Centennial celebration in 1947.
We couldn't resist this cute little cowgirl just before the Rodeo. The Rodeo is held for five nights at the Energy Solutions Arena.
While Kaitlin and Christina did some street contacting and PR with the Rodeo protesters...
Maddie rode the Mechanical bull. She told them to crank up the speed and buck her off within 20 seconds. She was a crowd pleaser for sure!
Ben and Grace with some of her family. The Rodeo is a favorite event for the Royalty. They wear some great western wear, are introduced in royal fashion during the intermission and get to meet great new people, many of which are some of the General Authorities of the Church.
The Royalty are friendly and outgoing and the cowboys are never too far away.
Elder Sam Clark, a member of the Seventy, is a great friend and Host to the Royalty. Each night at the Rodeo he takes them to meet any of the Church leaders who are in attendance, as well as Governor Herbert and family. Sadly, this is the third year that President Monson hasn't felt well enough to greet them.
Adding to the Days of 47 celebration was perhaps the best event - Mom's 90th Birthday!! I am proud to be her daughter and a descendant, through her, of Icelandic and Canadian pioneers. Mom exemplifies so many pioneer virtues and traits. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel and is an example of honesty and integrity, righteousness, virtue and love for others. She strives daily to be more Christ-like and I believe that she soon may be translated. I love you Mom! Thanks for all of your nurturing, love and support through the many years of our lives.
