From big rodeo entertainment to big farm equipment, the Ogden Pioneer Days parade has it all.
The parade starts at 9 a.m. July 24, at 31st Street and Washington Boulevard, and heads north along Washington Boulevard to 20th Street.
"We'll have the same great parade we've had in the past," said Bryan Schade, parade chairman.
The entries won't be the same, of course, but parade-goers can expect the usual assortment of floats, horses, marching bands and drill teams, and antique cars. What folks lining the street might not expect is the pre-parade entertainment -- the One Arm Bandit.
No, the pre-parade fun isn't gambling on a slot machine. The One Arm Bandit is John Payne, this year's specialty act at the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo. Payne, a 12-time winner of the PRCA specialty act award, lost one arm to an electrical accident. He rounds up buffalo, herding them onto a trailer, rather than into it.
"He has some horses, and he jumps these horses up onto his horse truck and trailer," said Schade. "He's going to be doing that down Washington Boulevard."
Another unusual entry in this year's parade comes from the Weber County Farm Bureau.
"They're supposed to have some gigantic big tractors," Schade said.
Ron Gibson, president of the Weber County Farm Bureau, says there will be four big pieces of farm equipment.
"We'll have a massive combine," said the West Weber farmer. "It's used to harvest the grain."
There will also be a big chopper, which is used to cut corn stalks into feed for cattle. "It takes eight rows at once, and chops it into little pieces an inch in length," he said.
A four-wheel-drive tractor and a hay baler are also going to be shown.
"These pieces are coming from a dealer," said Gibson. "Farmers are using our equipment now, but this is the type of stuff we're using on farms in the county today."
To get a good viewing spot, some people start lining the parade route as early as 6 a.m. -- and they might need breakfast. The Ogden Kiwanis Club is serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., in Municipal Gardens at 343 25th St. The morning meal features pancakes, but also includes scrambled eggs, sausage and other traditional breakfast foods. Adults eat for $6, and breakfast for children age 11 and younger is $4. The breakfast is a fundraiser to support the Kiwanis Club's community programs.
Farm Day in the City
If you can't wait until Tuesday's parade to see the gigantic farm equipment, you can check it out on Saturday. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 21, the tractors will be part of "Farm Day in the City," at Municipal Gardens. The event is tied to the Historic 25th Street Farmers & Art Market.
Historic 25th Street will be closed, from Washington to Grant avenues, during the farmers market.
"It will be lined with the biggest, fanciest farm equipment available, and animals," said Gibson, of West Weber.
Farmers are bringing dairy and beef cows, and other animals, to teach families about farming and where food comes from.
"We'll have some calves to pet," he said.
The event also includes giveaways of milk and ice cream.
"It's just to bring an awareness of agriculture in the county," Gibson said of Farm Day. "We just want people to understand that agriculture is still a vibrant part of the county and has a huge economic impact on the county -- it's a $350 million economic impact from Weber County alone."
PREVIEW
- WHAT: Ogden Pioneer Days Parade
- WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 24
- WHERE: Washington Boulevard, from 31st to 20th streets
- ADMISSION: Free; 801-621-1696, www.ogdenpioneerdays.com