Parade Float/Chinese Gate

Today I was honored to represent West Valley City in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City. The float is a culmination of the past present and future of West Valley City. The Utah Cultural Celebration Center and the Jordan River regions were highlighted with kayak and the soon to be erected Chinese Friendship gate. Pioneer scenes were also depicted as this area was some of the first inhabited areas with dugouts as pioneers like Joseph Harker crossed over the river. The grounbreaking ceremony for teh Chinese Gate will take place on tuesday July 26. It is an excellent example of the City working with private groups, companies, and individuals to bring an outstanding addition to our City. Details of that event are below:




West Valley City Cultural Arts Board Breaks Ground on Chinese Heritage Friendship Gate

WHAT: Chinese Heritage Friendship Gate Groundbreaking Ceremony
WHEN: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
WHERE: Utah Cultural Celebration Center 1355 West 3100 South
WHO: This event is free and open to the public.
WHY: The West Valley City Council, the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Utah and the Cultural Arts Board of West Valley City will celebrate the groundbreaking of a Chinese Heritage Friendship Gate, a symbol of the friendship between West Valley City and the local Chinese Community. The gate is scheduled for completion in July 2012 to commemorate the twelve-year anniversary of West Valley City’s Sister City relationship with Nantou, Taiwan. Tuesday’s event will include a Chinese orchestra and choir as well as a traditional Chinese Lion Dance. Visitors from China and the Chinese consulate in San Francisco are among VIPs who will be in attendance.

Pioneer Day

This was a very eventful and memorable Pioneer Day for West Valley City and for myself. In the morning I joined with the Mayor and Councilmembers on the 'Catch the Vision' West Valley Float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City to commemorate the pioneers reaching the Salt Lake Valley. The float featured a wagon train as well as a trax train to highlight the City's progress over the generations. It was especially meaningful to me as it made me reflect on my Rushton ancestors whom were among the last to leave Nauvoo because they were directed by Brigham Young to "See that all of the sick and the poor got across the river." Later Edward Rushton was amongst the first settlers to cross over the Jordan River and establish a homestead in what is now West Valley City. The parade was enjoyable and it was exciting when we came across the various pockets of West Valley City residents along the route cheering and proud of the float and of their community. Many people should be thanked for the excellent manner that our City was represented in this parade, but none more than the versatile Kevin Conde who wears many hats for the City and excels at making events go off without a hitch.

Later that evening Emily and I attended the Days of '47 Rodeo. This is the inaugural year for the Rodeo at its new home, the E Center. I was pleased at the attendance and the great response received from the Rodeo participants as they expressed their approval of the the venue, area, and City partnerships. In attendance at the Rodeo that evening was Thomas Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He seemed to really enjoy the antics of Whiplash the Rodeo Monkey. Whiplash later presented President Monson with an autographed photo of himself. I was curious as to how a cowboy monkey signs autographs, but overall the show was great. I was thrilled at every instance as it seemed as though the City was well represented and did a stellar job a participating in our State Holiday.