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- Blackhawk Encampment will be back next summer
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Thanks to a successful Blackhawk Encampment at Juab County Fairgrounds, the group will be back next summer.
"It worked out so good," said Gary Lofgran, commander of the organization which has met annually since the time of the war.
As a thank you, Lofgran brought doughnuts to commissioners.
The annual Blackhawk Encampment this year was held at Juab County Fairgrounds Monday, May 24, through Friday, May 27. The weather was a bit chilly and a warmer date has been selected for 2011.
"We had five-inches of snow that first day," he said. "We are wondering if we could move the event until June next year."
He had some concern that, if the celebration was moved to June 27 through June 30, 2011, it might conflict with the Mormon Handcart Pageant.
"This is the last year of the pageant at the fairgrounds," said Val Jones, commission chairman. "So, if the calendar is clear, you could have the days you would like."
The event was held at the fairgrounds and welcomed members and their camps to the grounds. The multipurpose building at the fairgrounds was also used.
"We wondered if we could make the same arrangements for 2011 that we had this year," said Lofgran. "I think we have some people interested now since the event was so successful."
Soon after the Blackhawk War was fought in Utah and peace returned, it was decided to hold a three- or four-day celebration each year in honor of those who participated in the war.
"We have been going since then," Lofgran said.
Each year, in those early days, a different town would be the host city.
Nephi was that city in 1910 and then again in 1934.
The 1934 celebration was the beginning of the Ute Stampede.
Since that time, the group has also met at the city park in Nephi and at Stampede time during some years.
Lofgran said that the organization is looking for a home and is happy with how the event was welcomed in 2010.
He said he would like to see the encampment build back up to what it was a few years ago, with many members. It only takes $15 annually to belong.
He is hoping that the event will grow and become popular and that many people will join the group. However, no one needs to be a member to participate in the four-day event.
"We invite all residents of the area to come to our evening programs," said Lofgran.
In addition, there are games and other activities each day. Residents are also invited to come to the fairgrounds and see what is happening and, if they like, to participate.
The encampment which first began to honor veterans of the Utah Blackhawk War grew to also included their progeny.
"Now you don't have to be a descendent to join," said Lofgran.
Utah's Black Hawk War (1865–72) is the name of the estimated 150 battles, skirmishes, raids, and killings between Mormon settlers in Sanpete County, Sevier County and other parts of central and southern Utah, and members of the Ute, Paiute and Navajo tribes, led by a local Ute chief, Antonga or "Blackhawk."
The conflict resulted in the abandonment of some settlements and postponed Mormon expansion in the region.
The years 1865 to 1867 were by far the most intense of the conflict. Pioneers considered themselves in a state of open warfare. They built scores of forts and deserted dozens of settlements while hundreds of Mormon militiamen chased their adversaries through the wilderness.
Several community celebrations had their start as an accompaniment to the annual Black Hawk Encampment which was mostly a mostly a gathering of the survivors of the Black Hawk War.
Art City Days in Springville, for example, originated from the Blackhawk Indian War Encampment.
"The Ute Stampede began 76 years ago and was started as part of the Blackhawk Encampment," said Bob Garrett, county road superintendent and a member of the Stampede committee.
When the annual encampment began, it was a yearly renewal of friendships of those who fought in the Mormon battalions.
In its early days, the Black Hawk Encampment traveled to cities throughout Utah.
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