“Why I Like My Community”

by logan miner, seventh grade

All summer I wait for one Saturday to happen and that’s when Mapleton celebrates Pioneer Day! Everything about this day is why I love my community. We celebrate every year together as family, friends, and neighbors. It’s like one big party all day!

The day starts at sunrise when the town hosts a fun run and 5k around City Hall. We get to run by the police and fire department, my elementary school and even down Main Street. I have been running with my brothers and friends for the last seven years. There is always a banana after the race! After that, we quickly drive over to the Junior High for the start of the parade. Last year, my Boy Scout Troop got a special opportunity to carry the flags at the beginning of the parade. I held the Utah State flag while my older brother carried the United States one. It was really cool to see everyone standing on the sides respecting the flags. Once we ended, we quickly ran back to our family to watch the rest of the parade and catch some candy being thrown from the floats.

After the parade, the community hosts a carnival at City Park that is fun for all ages. The young kids get to go crazy winning games this well-deserved honor. Thank you for reminding us about what makes this celebration – and our community as a whole – so special. Below is Logan’s essay. May we all remember how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place.

Mapleton Mayor Dallas Hakes

and earning prizes like candy and toys. The teenagers walk around with their friends enjoying the food trucks and music. The adults sit around the gazebo chatting and watching their kids play. And the seniors tour the Old Town Square looking at the pioneer buildings like the blacksmith shop and the log cabin.

Then the party really starts when the whole town moves to Ira Allen Sports Park to celebrate the rest of the day. My brothers and I love to participate in the Helicopter Ping Pong Drop. A local man flies his helicopter over the fields, dropping ping pong balls that have different numbers written on each one. Later they call out the winning numbers to raffle off bikes, hoverboards, scooters, and AirPods. We have not won yet, but we are not giving up!

By now all of the food trucks have set up and the band is getting ready to start playing music. The Mayor, who is also my favorite football coach and my friend’s dad, gives a speech about Pioneer Day. My family and I love to get Navajo Tacos and crepes every year from the high school booster clubs. I run off after eating to find my friends because at this point the whole town has shown up. We play on the playground, walk around talking and listening to the concert. With everyone’s busy summer schedules, it is like a big reunion.

The sun has finally set and I go back to my family’s spot that we saved with blankets and chairs. We get to break out the glow sticks and it’s time for the best firework show in the state.

Every year they pair the fireworks to music and always start with the song “Come, Come, Ye Saints.” Every year it’s spectacular and we always see a new firework that we have not seen before. The finale is always better every year.

This all-day party is just one of the many reasons why I like my community so much. I have so much fun in one day and spend it with the people I love. Everything about Pioneer Day is how I feel about Mapleton every day!

Logan

Mapleton, won the 2023 Utah League of Cities and Towns’ statewide essay contest. The theme was “Why I Like My Community,” and Logan wrote about Mapleton’s annual Pioneer Days celebration. Logan won a $500 cash prize sponsored by Maverick and his school, Maple Grove Middle School, received a $1,000 prize.