Show Zion Easter Pageant Most lost Impressive Ever Staged The Zion Easter Pageant staged in Zion National Park Sunday at 1 sunset with Its natural and beautiful beau beau j and Its sacred theme I spectacle i I proved to be bc the biggest of of this tills nature staged In the West Not only were throngs of people at atthe atthe atthe the Park thrilled rd with the color and detail of the pageant story of the passion week but the attention of the nation was focused upon this most colorful and appealing of all Easter services To be bc staged in the great natural natural natural na na- na- na tural setting of Zion National Park among the Temples of Zion as visualized in the towering peaks of lIi the can canyon on has caught the fanc fancy of the nation as is attested by the fact that nearly ten thousand people people people peo peo- from 26 20 states and one foreign country gathered to witness the Pageant A total of people traveling In 1545 cars registered at the Park i ion on Easter Sunday and many more more entered the day before and re remained remained remained re- re for the Easter The TIle new and permanent site for forthe forthe forthe the pageant proved to be an ideal setting since it provides a beautiful natural and inspiring site for lor the pageant and also provides ample room for the thousands thousands thou thou- sands of people to witness the spectacle in comfort and also provides provides provides pro pro- vides plenty of parking space in the immediate vicinity Another feature that has added to the sacred spirit of the performance performance perform perform- ance is the staging of the pageant at sunset when the famed stillness and the almost sacred quietude and peacefulness of the can canyon puts the spectator in an ideal spirit for forthe forthe forthe the sacred theme The acoustics of the site are such that the attend- attend anc ranc could increase three fold and andall andall all rail speaking parts and music would be easily to all present The action timed as it is to bring the Resurrection scene at deep dusk adds to the beauty of the scene The staging of the Pageant is isa Isa a task but with th the e enthusiastic cooperation of all communities in the area and of th the Branch Agricultural College and the Dixie college it has been possible possible pos pas sible to build a pageant will grow into the outstanding Easter Faster services services services ser ser- vices of the nation The pageant which portrays the events of the passion week from Jesus' Jesus entrance into Jerusalem through the Last Supper Supper Sup Sup- p per r the betrayal by Judas the suffering of the Christ in mane the trials before Pilate and Herod the dancing scenes in the court of Herod the trek to Galga- Galga tha the crucifixion the visit to the tomb and finally the tion staged high on the mountainside mountain mountain- side with brilliantly spotlights play playing Ing on the white ro robes es of Jesus isone Isone is isone one of the most vivid portrayals of these events possible and will continue continue continue con con- to hold the Interest of all who can visit the canyon to witness It for years to come The TIle work of Grant II H. H Redford of the Branch Agricultural College faculty author of the pageant and director of the production is a commendable service to the people of Southern Utah and his portrayal portray portray- al of the Christ Christus us has added Immeasurably immeasurably immeasurably im Im- im- im measurably to tr tt allty and success success success suc suc- cess of this po yal of sacred events The music provided by the Chorus of voices from Cedar City and the Branch College and the orchestra from the Branch college so ably I directed by Wm H H. Manning and Donald Olsen respectively are an part of the the performance and reaches its climax with the Hallelujah chorus as the Jesus stands silhouetted against the towering rock walls of Zion The concert of sacred music presented presented presented pre pre- by St. St George and the Dixie College under the direction of Professor J. J W. W McAllister is an important and beautiful part of the Easter services The vocal solos of Mrs Hazel Granger and H. H H. H Bennet of Salt Lake City the organ music by Seldon Seldon Seldon Sel- Sel don N N. Heaps of Salt Lake City and the trumpet solo by Earl J. J Bleak of St. St George were beautiful indeed and great contributing factors to the beauty of the services The cooperation of schools churches communities the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce the Utah Parks Parka company and ana an National Park Service and many other groups and individuals was necessary necessary necessary sary and gladly given iven for the success success success suc suc- cess of the undertaking To attempt to thank them all and express appreciation ap ap- appreciation for their services would be impossible impassible here but we are sure cure that In every ery Instance the success of the pageant page and the thrill of a I beautiful spectacle has well repaid everyone for their efforts Th leadership leade provided by Henry i E. E Petersen in this undertaking 5 s sa sa a public service of great magnitude and one that should command the I appreciation of ever every citizen In southern Utah I Plans have already been tentatively tentatively tenta tenta- formulated for next nut years year's I. I l presentation of the so that its continuation will wUl be assured I |