96 South Main Street, PO Box 77, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735

On our front page this week

  • Handcart pageant next week


HANDCART PAGEANT • Emily Goates and Tracy Boswell appear as pioneers during the Mormon Handcart Pageant.

By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

The Second Annual Mormon Handcart Pageant will be held July 23, 24, 25, and 26 at the Juab County Fairgrounds in the main arena.

The pageant will begin each of those nights at dusk, which is at approximately 9:15 p.m. No tickets are needed and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We have added seating this year, so we should not have a problem with accommodating anyone who wants to see the pageant," said Brent Boswell, pageant director.

The script for the pageant was written by Boswell after he visited Rock Creek and Martins Cove in Wyoming.

"I wanted to bring the same spirit I felt there to Nephi," he said.

He realized, Boswell said, that some could not take advantage of making a trip to Rock Creek but could come and learn and feel the pioneer spirit and sacrifice made by the pioneers of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies who were caught in the blizzards of Wyoming as they made the trek to Nephi.

"Some of the survivors of those companies pioneered in Juab County once they made it to Utah," said Boswell.

Boswell said the pageant is a community effort with volunteers, staff members, and cast members from Nephi, Levan and Mona.

"However, some cast members come from as far as Tooele, Alpine, American Fork, West Valley, and Gunnison," said Dixie Boswell, one of the organizers.

There are cast members with a wide variety of occupations and interests but all have banded together to bring the history of the handcart pioneers to life for those who attend the pageant.

A local doctor, local dentist, other medical professionals, lawyers, sheriff and deputy, ranchers, farmers, teachers, construction worker, business people, stake presidency counselors, and a county commissioner make up some of the cast.

"We have a cast and staff of close to 200 people," she said. "Our ages range from young babies to one gentleman who is 80 years old."

In addition to the pageant each night, there are other pioneer-style activities each night of the event.

There is a pioneer supper each night. Those who are interested in attending should call Greenhollow Catering at 435-623-0656 as soon as possible. The meal will include slow roasted pork, baked potato, green salad, rolls, lemonade and cobbler. The supper will be served from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"The pioneer supper is our main fundraiser for the pageant," said Boswell.

Meal tickets are $7.50 per person if purchased in advance or $9 the day of the show.

There will also be a nightly concession stand.

All proceeds go to help finance the pageant.

"All funding comes from fund raisers and donations," said Boswell. "We greatly need and appreciate those who contribute to our continuing efforts."

Each evening there will be a craft show. Some special features at the craft show will be book signings by some of Utah's authors.

There will also be a mini family history library.

There will also be live entertainment in the multi-purpose building at the fairgrounds prior to the pageant each evening.

Those attending might also like to plan to visit the local Daughter's of the Utah Pioneers' Museum as part of the pioneer experience. The museum will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum is located on Nephi's Main Street in the historic former county building.

"We have received great community support," said Dixie Boswell. "There were over 50 volunteers at the fair ground to help us Monday morning. We feel like this pageant really belongs to our community because of all the volunteers coming forward to help us."

For more information contact www. handcartpageant.com.