OGDEN, Utah — The observed day for the Pioneer Day holiday kicked off with an F-35 flyover and an annual parade in Ogden Monday.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring the community together,” Bryan Schade said.

Schade is the parade director for this year’s Ogden Pioneer Days, the self-proclaimed best statehood celebration in Utah.

“We like to think so, yes,” Schade said.

Eighty-five entrants signed up for the parade, including Church groups, schools, politicians, businesses and other organizations from in and around Ogden.

The groups marched down Washington Boulevard in honor of the first group of Latter-day Saint pioneers who trekked into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.

“That’s an honor to be able to celebrate our pioneers and our heritage and all the things they have done for us,” Connie King said.

King was the committee chair, overseeing the creation of a float for the Layton Shoreline stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She says they were asked to participate in the parade in May.

“It’s been a good community, neighborhood project to work on together,” King said, adding that committee members and youth groups had spent “lots and lots of hours” piecing the beehive float together.

The floats are arriving for the Ogden Pioneer Days’ Grande Parade#KSLTV pic.twitter.com/5eOs6CXxvI

— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) July 25, 2022

On the side of the float was written this year’s theme for the parade: Building community through pioneer principles.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Utah chapter also participated in the parade. This was their fourth parade this summer and it won’t be their last thanks to Director Dennis Howland who jumps at the chance to recognize those who serve.

“Every day we’ve had from the beginning of this country, veterans have been there so that we can have these days we can celebrate,” Howland said.

Howland said it’s nice to hear people cheering and thanking them for their service, decades after Vietnam veterans like him returned home to people spitting on them.

“We just like to have our veterans come out and let the people show appreciation and thank them for their service.”

Ogden’s pioneer days celebration wraps up with a rodeo Monday night.