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Show Fourth of July activities scheduled at state parks Two of Utah's most historic sites, Pioneer Trail State Park and the Territorial Statehouse State Park, will hold Fourth of July activities. Pioneer Trail State Park The Mormon Battalion's Fourth of July flag raising in the recreated pioneer town of Old Deseret will highlight the Pioneer Trail State Park's annual "Pioneer Independence Day" celebration in Salt Lake City. The pioneers were very patriotic," explained guide IJJinator Ghia Burche. "The United States allowed utcin a freedom of religion which they couldn't find in any other country. ' Old Deseret, as well as the famous This Is The Place Monument and the park visitor center, will be open on July 4th. Old Deseret and visitor center hours are 1 1 a.m..-5 p.m. People can visit This Is The Place Monument Monu-ment anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The Mormon Battalion will raise a 30-star American flag in a ceremony reminiscent of what the pioneers themselves did on Fourth of July days during the pioneer era of 1 847-1 869. The flag raising will take place by the General Store, at 12 p.m. Visitors can also step back in time and experience what pioneer life was like by visiting the town's Cipneer buildings. All 12 dwellings will be open, in-fiding in-fiding the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse. Inside each dwelling trained volunteers in pioneer dress will demonstrate various crafts and act the part of the people who once lived or worked there. Visitors can watch the pioneers make baskets, lace, candles, butter and ice cream. The pioneers will also demonstrate . natural dying, whittling and sewing on a treadle sewing 'machine. II The blacksmith shop will be open and adobe made in the adjacent adobe pit. Those who don't mind getting their feet muddy can step back in time themselves. "We'll allow people to take off their shoes, get in the adobe pit and stomp around in the mud, which should be fun to do on a hot summer day,' Burche said. Children will also be allowed to help with the candle-making. Visitors can win a cake in the Social Hall, as a cake walk will be held once every hour, Burche said. Cost to participate in the cake walk is 25 cents. Pioneer Trail State Park is located at 2601 Sunnyside Ave., just north of Hogle Zoo. Cost to visit the park is $1.50 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-15, and $6 per family. For more information, call the park at 584-8391. Territorial Statehouse State Park Utah's oldest governmental building will serve as a historic backdrop, as the Territorial Statehouse State Park in Fillmore and the Fillmore Area Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor Fillmore's July Fourth celebration. celebra-tion. The celebration will begin at 6:30 a.m. as Old Glory is raised up the Statehouse's flag pole, said park manager Matt Sheridan. A breakfast is scheduled for 7 a.m. at the Legion Building, located adjacent to the park grounds. The city parade will proceed down Main Street, beginning at 10 a.m. After the parade a bake sale will be held at the Legion Building. A traditional small town carnival, complete with food booths and games, will take place on the park grounds and will occupy most of the afternoon. after-noon. "Fillmore has a fun little carnival and the food booths are great," Sheridan said. Included among the booths will be traditional Indian food cooked by the Ute Indians. The day concludes with children's games, which begin at 7 p.m. on the park grounds, and a fireworks show at the Fairgrounds that night. When visitors are not participating in the Fourth of July festivities, they can tour the Territorial Statehouse, which houses a pioneer collection as well as items from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Constructed under the direction of Brigham Young to serve as the state capitol, the Territorial Statehouse was completed in time for the December 1855 meeting of the Territorial Legislature. In December 1858 the seat of government was returned to Salt Lake City. The Territorial Statehouse hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The entrance fee is $1.50 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-15, and $6 for families. Territorial Statehouse State Park is located at 50 W. Capitol in Fillmore. For more information call 743-5316. |