Monticello City ready for Pioneer Day Events

“Back to Our Roots” is the theme of the 2024 edition of the annual Monticello Pioneer Days celebration. The two-day celebration runs Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20.
The weekend features a community-wide celebration, along with many reunions. A full schedule of events can be found on page B8 of the San Juan Record, at the City of Monticello website, and the Monticello Pioneer Days Facebook page.
The main event is the Pioneer Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20 with Grand Marshal Anna Fredericks.
Other highlights include the longest consecutively running fastpitch softball tournament in the nation. Softball action begins Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. and runs through Saturday evening.
The grand fireworks show will start after dark on Saturday.
The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday with the Artisan Jewelers Pioneer Day Treasure Hunt. A diamond valued at more than $1,000 will go to the winner of the treasure hunt. The free event kicks off with clues at Artisan Jewelers at 181 South Main Street.
Events on Friday also include a Pickleball Tournament starting at 1 p.m., Dollar Swim at the pool from 1 to 5 p.m., Sidewalk Chalk from 2 to 5 p.m., Home Run derby at 2:30 p.m.,
Vendors will be set up in Veterans Memorial Park and the Ballfields starting at 2 p.m.
A large bouquet of inflatables will be free to kids and adults alike at Veterans Park on Friday and Saturday afternoon. The City of Monticello and San Juan Counseling is sponsoring this free event, which is sure to be popular. There will also be a Cornhole Fundraiser event for family and children at 5 p.m.
Other events on Friday include a Disc Golf Tournament from 5 to 8 p.m. at the new disc golf course at the Monticello Millsite, the San Juan Ranch Horse Sale starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, and a Night Out at the Hideout, featuring nine of holes of twilight golf and nine holes of nighttime golf at the Hideout Golf Club.
Friday festivities will end with a free movie in the park featuring Over the Hedge after dark.
Saturday will start bright and early at 7 a.m. for the Blue Mountain Pioneer Day 5k Run at Loyds Lake. The annual Lions Club Breakfast will be starting at the same time at the stake center pavilion, located behind the post office.
The Blue Mountain Invitational Fastpitch Softball Tournament will continue from the night before starting at 8 a.m. at the ballfields.
The Pioneer Days parade with Grand Marshal Anna Fredericks will begin at 10:30 a.m. The parade will prominently feature the theme with floats by businesses, organizations, religious groups, Monticello High School alumni, and more.
The lineup for floats will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Monticello High School.
Show off your swing at the long drive competition at the Hideout Golf course from 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
A tractor show starts at noon at the Visitor Center, and Quilt Time Quilters will start promptly after the parade at the Monticello Library, until 3 p.m.
Competitions include a cornhole tournament at noon, 1 p.m. coin dive, and 2 pm bellyflop competition at the pool.
The San Juan Ranch Horse Sale continues on Saturday, with preview from 10:30 am to 1 pm and sale at 1 p.m.
Civil War Living History will be discussed at Gemstone Campground on Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Entertaining softball and scrumptious food will be available at the ballparks all day.
The Pioneer Days celebration will be capped off Saturday night with fireworks at dark.
For more information, call 435-587-2271.