Summerfest parade bids farewell to summer

By Rachel Aubrey| [email protected]

The parade will go on, was the motto the morning of Sept. 18 as South Jordan continued its Summerfest celebrations despite the rain and wind. 

After not being able to hold the parade in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, community members lined the sidewalks of the equestrian center to support the almost 62 entries into the parade, including Mayor Dawn Ramsey, all members of South Jordan’s city council and more. City employee Brian Preece was the announcer for the parade.

A change to this year’s parade was the parade’s route, which in the past started along 2200 West and turned right onto Park Road into the equestrian center and ending on Redwood Road. A free pancake breakfast was served starting at 7 a.m. and went until the parade began at 9 a.m. The parade began with a demonstration by motor units from the South Jordan police department, followed by South Jordan Fire Department fire trucks and emergency vehicles.

In full force at the parade were students from Bingham High School. Everyone from the band, ballroom team, dance team, girls and boys soccer, girls and boys lacrosse and more.

As so many students were involved in the parade, so too were their parents there to cheer and support. Parents such as Doug and Julie Moore, who were there to support son Derek, and he played drums in the marching band for Bingham High.

“I think we should have these kinds of events,” said South Jordan resident Cherie Denison, who along with her husband, BJ, were present at the parade to cheer and support their daughter, a member of the Bingham High ballroom team.

There was plenty of school spirit present, with little thought to the dark clouds and gusts of wind. Nearby Herriman High School choir and basketball team participated in the parade.

Local businesses participated, handing out coupons and novelties for parade spectators, such as Menchies, Beyond Limits Physical Therapy, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Mathnasium Math Bus, Locally Twisted and Flake Pie Company.

To bring a little diversity to the parade, the TeHamata Polynesian dance group from Riverton, as well as the Karpaty Polish Folk-dance ensemble was present at the parade. The Salt Lake City-based Karpaty ensemble brought traditional dances from Poland as well as Polish treats to pass out to spectators.

There were city floats from the neighboring towns of West Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Draper, Riverton and Bluffdale. The float representing the host city of South Jordan was themed with the Pacific Islanders in mind, focusing on their journey and discovery of new places. The wording on the side of the float read “Today’s adventure is calling.”

Special events coordinator for South Jordan, Natalie Domino said that she was pleased overall with how many people showed up to watch the parade even in the rainy weather.

Although typically held in June as a kickoff to the summer months, this year’s Summerfest was pushed back to September due to COVID-19. The celebration instead culminated in the close of summer.

The Summerfest ran all weekend long with a carnival of rides and games, free shows and demonstrations, and food trucks and vendors.