Parade delights community, classic cars shine at Santa Clara Swiss Days

Written by Hollie Stark
September 24, 2016

SANTA CLARA – Happiness reigned in the City of Santa Clara Saturday morning as the annual Swiss Days celebration opened its final day of festivities with a spectacular parade.

American Legion Post 90 participates in the Swiss Days Parade, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept. 24, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
American Legion Post 90 participates in the Swiss Days Parade, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept. 24, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

Thousands of spectators lined Santa Clara Drive in anticipation of the colorful lineup of marching bands, floats, classic cars, dance troupes and community sponsors.

Though the popular parade draws a crowd of 3,000-plus people each year, it maintains its small town community feel.

“If there’s one thing that everybody likes about the small town, is that small town spirit,” singer Brodie Perry said, ” … that’s what it’s all about, I love that kind of thing.”

Perry joked about being pelted by Tootsie Rolls; a common occurrence at the parade infamous for raining candy.

Celebrations continued throughout Santa Clara honoring the stalwart Swiss pioneers who were sent by Brigham Young, then prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to settle Santa Clara in the 1860s.

The theme for Swiss Days was “Cowboy Way of Life.” It was highlighted by displays at Santa Clara Town Hall of the many Swiss families who traded the lush Swiss Alps to carve out a living as ranchers in the desert.

Pioneer crafts, displays and activities, vendors, continuous entertainment, a 5K and a classic car show rounded out the event.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hollie Stark is a writer, outdoor enthusiast, mother, and Southern Utah gal.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGNews

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