2023 PIONEER DAYS LIST OF EVENTS

Saturday, July 15

Pickleball Tournament: At the Ira Allan Sports Park Pickleball Courts.Times vary depending on division. Registration fee: $25 per team.

Sunday, July 16

Pioneer Sunset in the Park: 7 p.m., City Park.

Monday, July 17

Concert in the Park: 7 p.m., City Park

Movie in the Park: 9:30 p.m., City Park. Movie is “Sing 2.”

Wednesday, July 19

Cornhole Tournament: 6 p.m., Ira Allan Sports Park. Registration fee: $25 per team.

Thursday, July 20

Light the Path Bike Rally: 8:30 p.m. to dark, Hobble Creek Elementary School.

Friday, July 21

Hot Dog Dinner: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., City Park. Sponsored by Mapleton Seniors.

Mapleton City Puzzle Unveiling: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., City Park.

Family Street Dance: 8 to 10:30 p.m., City Park and Main Street.

Saturday, July 22

5K & Fun Run: 7 a.m. start for 5K, 7:30 a.m. start for Fun Run. Starting line is in front of the Mapleton City Building.

Flag Ceremony: 7 a.m., City Park

Pancake Breakfast: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., City Park. Sponsored by SUP.

Parade: 9 a.m., Main Street.

Fun in the Park: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., City Park.

Humanitarian Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Memorial Hall.

Food Trucks in the Park: 5 to 9:30 p.m., Ira Allan Sports Park.

Ping Pong Drop: 6:30 p.m., Ira Allan Sports Park.

Concert: 8 to 9:45 p.m., Ira Allan Sports Park.

Fireworks Show: Following concert, Ira Allan Sports Park.

Mapleton City is located in Utah County, Utah, approximately eight miles south of Provo and 50 miles south of Salt Lake City. Mapleton’s elevation is 4,724 feet. Its land area is approximately 12.58 square miles.

Mapleton’s residents enjoy its small-town feel and beautiful setting next to the mountains. It is still a relatively rural area compared to neighboring Springville and Spanish Fork cities, but Mapleton’s population has grown by approximately 6 to 8% annually in recent years. The most recent census data estimates Mapleton’s population to be approximately 13,000 residents.

Situated between Hobble Creek and the Spanish Fork River, Mapleton was used by Utah County’s early settlers for livestock grazing, logging and farming. The first settlers arrived in 1850, and the first permanent settlers, attracted by the land offered through the Homestead Act, arrived around 1870. The area was known as “Union Bench” until 1901, when the name was changed to Mapleton. Mapleton City was officially incorporated in 1948.

Historic Towne Square Mapleton’s pioneer history still enriches the community today. The Historic Old Towne Square stands on the south side of Mapleton City Park as a tribute to Mapleton’s early settlers and heritage. Old Towne Square contains the following buildings and landmarks:

Mapleton Heritage Museum

The Mapleton Heritage Museum is located inside the Roswell Darius Bird home, constructed in 1892. It contains pioneer artifacts and photographs of early Mapleton settlers along with many other items of interest.

Levi Kendall Cabin

The Levi Kendall Cabin was constructed in approximately 1880 and was one of the first homes here in Mapleton. It depicts the way of life at that time.

Relief Society Hall

The Relief Society Hall was built in 1888 by the women of early Mapleton, who earned the money to build, finance, and maintain it. Originally located on a Mapleton resident’s property, the Relief Society Hall was taken apart, rebuilt brick by brick in Old Towne Square, renovated and furnished with artifacts and photographs. It now stands as a tribute to the strength and determination of Mapleton’s women across generations.

Blacksmith Shop & Barn

The blacksmith shop and barn were built and furnished with materials from Mapleton residents’ old barns (some dating back to the 1800s) and honors Mapleton’s agricultural history.

Unity Statue

A bronze sculpture entitled “Unity” was placed in center of Old Towne Square in 2021. In the words of Tyson Snow, the sculptor: “This piece represents a timeless story of husband and wife toiling side by side. Life is not without its challenges, hardships and turmoil. Sharing each other’s burdens, strengthening and encouraging one another is necessary.

“A strong wind pushes them from behind, representing life’s abrupt or unexpected difficulties. Suffering is designed to help us learn and grow stronger as we work toward a common goal. For a brief moment, the work stops as the sudden gust hits. He drops the plow with one hand to stop his hat from blowing off. She leans her head toward his shoulder for support, shelter from the wind, and to keep dust from getting into her eyes. Her hands clasping the top of the seed bag so no seed is lost by the jarring elements. Eventually they plan to harvest and enjoy the fruits of their labors together.”

Like other cities across the county and state, Mapleton has experienced unprecedented residential growth over the past few years. As part of city leadership’s efforts to keep up with the community’s evolution, they explored the concept of “the Mapleton experience” and how the city can continue to stay true to that through time.

A 14-month rebrand process was undertaken to better understand, conceptualize and preserve the Mapleton experience. Focus groups were conducted with the Mapleton City Council and staff, more than 700 residents were surveyed and dozens of others were interviewed to learn about the Mapleton experience, with questions asked like, “What does Mapleton mean to its residents?” and “What do we want the world to know about Mapleton?”

Through residents’ responses, industry professionals identified a key theme: Mapleton residents view Mapleton as a small town with a big heart. The city decided to take ownership of that concept and trademark the new city motto, “Small Town. Big Heart.”

This motto rests upon the pillars of connection, small-town feeling, active lifestyles, open space, heritage and service. These subthemes were also identified through residents’ insights and have united the community for generations. As Mapleton City’s new core values, they will continue to guide leadership in making decisions for years to come.

In addition to positioning Mapleton as a small town with a big heart, the city’s newly identified purpose is to give residents roots and help them spread their wings. Mapleton’s promise is to deliver value through community connection.

Mapleton is bold, rural and premium. The new city logo features a barn, which represents the city’s agricultural past and the many barns found throughout the city’s landscape, and the spirit of “barn raising,” which brings community members together to support and help one another. It’s both classic and modern to honor the past and future.

They hope it reminds you, as it does them, about the unique qualities that make Mapleton a great place to live.