By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
It is time for the 3rd annual Mormon Handcart Pageant
at the Juab County Fairgrounds at 9:15 p.m. July 28 through
July 31, 2004, with pre pageant activities set to begin at
6:30 p.m.
A few of those activities have been re-designed for
this season.
For example, prior to the free pageant, it will be
simpler to get something to eat at the county fairgrounds
prior to the opening each night.
Options have been added and one of those is the Chuck
Wagon Food Court.
"You will not need to pre-order to get the meal," said
Brent Boswell, author and director of the pageant. "The food
will be served on a first-come first-serve basis, but we
will have plenty."
There will also be a full BBQ Supper available. The
plate will come with all three of the meats and each of the
following side dishes plus a drink.
"You won't believe how much food you'll get," said
Boswell.
There will be BBQ beef, Teriyaki beef, BBQ chicken,
beans, bread roll, sautéed potatoes and onions,
macaroni or potato salad, and corn on the cob.
The price will be $7.50 for adults and $4.75 for
children.
Those who are coming with a large group of 20 or more
people can call the cook in advance to let them know. Ask
for Julie Buhler 801 492-1818.
This will not reserve the meals, but it will help the
cooks predict nights that might be extra big.
In addition, specialty sandwiches will be available
for purchase.
Those attending may choose a slow roasted BBQ Brisket
sandwich for $4.50, or a giant, home smoked Bratwurst or
Sausage dog for $4.00.
Hungry for a good old fashioned hamburger of a big ol'
hotdog? Those will be for sale as well through the
concession stand. Craver's brand cookies with the chocolate
layer on the bottom may also be purchased.
"Remember that most of the proceeds from the Chuck
Wagon Food Court go directly towards the pageant," said
Boswell. "So please help support the pageant by coming
hungry. Thank you."
The free pageant tells of the struggles of the Martin
and Willie handcart companies of 1856 who were caught
without proper supplies on the cold plains in early
snow.
While pre-pageant activities start at 6:30 p.m., the
actual pageant starts at "dusk."
For further information visit www.handcartpageant.com.
Here it is possible to find the latest pageant updates, as
well as to view the three new TV commercials. (Once at
the site, click the button that says "promotion", then
scroll down and download the commercials.)
As a part of the pageant craft fair, a special gallery
featuring the art of Clark Kelley Price has been
planned.
Price is the artist who painted the picture of the
angels coming to help push the handcarts when the pioneers
could no longer do it on their own.
"All of his prints will be made available for you to
purchase...even those that have traditionally been hard
to find," said Boswell.
As part of this special opportunity, on Friday
the 30th and Saturday the 31st, Brother Price will be coming
in from out of state to meet with those interested in his
work. He will sign the prints that are purchased as well as
those people may already have collected.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be
able to physically take something home from the pageant to
remind you of the way you felt while you were here with us,"
Boswell said.
"Our goal is to one day have a pageant craft show that
will totally feature spiritual art work and pioneer
handicraft-type items, therefore we encourage you to come
and support us in this effort."
The Craft Show will be held in the same building as
the meal and live entertainment, and will begin nightly at
6:30.
"Under spotlight, this outdoor, night-time event
featured moments of human greatness exemplified by those
tremendous Latter-day Saints who were in these handcart
companies and by those who came to their rescue," said
Boswell.
"The sesquicentennial of the handcart rescue will be
in 2006, and we plan to still be producing the pageant at
that time."
Boswell said the rescue had special meaning for
residents of the area because, after their arrival in the
Salt lake Valley, some of those handcart pioneers were sent
by Brigham Young to help settle Nephi and the surrounding
communities.
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