John Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Randy Hawkins leads a group of young people along the Pioneer Days parade route in Pima on Saturday.
by John Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
PIMA – An annual celebration hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commemorates the July 24, 1847 arrival of Brigham Young and early Mormon pioneers in Utah’s Salt Lake Valley. In Graham County, the celebration grew to include Latter-day Saint pioneers who settled in the Gila Valley. This year, Ross Bryce served as the parade marshal.
Friends and family traveled from far and wide to the Gila Valley to attend the festival. Friday night kicked off with a variety show at the David M. Player Arts Center and his annual Pioneer Days Rodeo in Pima. The evening’s festivities then culminated with a family dance at the Pima LDS Stake Center.
Saturday morning kicked off with Pioneer Days 5K, followed by pickleball, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and a volleyball tournament. People also enjoyed touring the Eastern Arizona Museum and meeting presenters at his 60th anniversary celebrations held in conjunction with Pioneer Day.
As dusk approached, the parade began as floats carefully prepared by local wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their families took up positions behind Dan Hinton Accommodation School.
Attendees lined the streets of Pima and cheered as various floats loaded with themed creations “departed”.
After the parade, large crowds gathered at Pima High School’s Ed Hubbard Field for a smoked barbecue dinner and other treats to spend the evening with family and friends. There were fun activities for the kids to enjoy until dark, including traditional Pioneer games, bouncy house races, roping challenges, dunk tanks and more.
When it got dark, fireworks were set off in the night sky, and some people had their shirts still burnt. The fireworks were perjured by “Mayor of Eden” Clint Colvin, who oversaw the ignition along with Brent Herbert and the Pima Fire Department.
click here Check out the photo album of the event.
Below are the results of the weekend’s sports competition.
3v3 basketball
The open division champion team consisted of Rian Johnson, Ryan Thomas, Chad Daley and Jordan Davis.
The runner-up team was Dustin Donaldson, Justin Park, Justin Cartner, and Jarrett Cartner.
Division 14-17: The championship team included Bronson Stringfellow, Braden Bryce and Chad Johnson.
The runner-up team included Conor Tefterer, Isaac Palmer, Rhett Rant and Dylan Riney.
Under-13 Division: The championship team included Hayden Larson, Eric Legarda, Trey Gaines and Christopher Palma.
The runner-up team included Elijah Titra, Colt Daly, Boston Echols and Luke Tefterer.
volleyball
The winning team in the A-League Division included T Mac McMillan, Kamal Hiapo, Joe Kouriakamoa, Nani Hiapo, Kahair Hiapo, Jenni Hiapo and BJ Hiapo.
The runner-up team included Kai Hekechia, Daisy Moates, Kelly Moates, Chelsea Chatwin, Danica Moates, Kyle Standage and Matthew Moates.
The winning team in the B League division included Lyen House, Laura House, Mary Johnson, Ali Johnson, Mark Johnson, Brandon Bingham and Kylie Bingham.
The runner-up team was Bradin Brown, Tyler Lawson, Dustin Brown, Megan Knight, Sian Armstrong, Brandi Morris and Sally Evans.
The C League winners included Jackson Comard, Casey Palmer, Rayleigh Fish, Presley Comard, Hudson Comard, Cambria Wakefield and Maddux Sloan.
The runner-up team included Shawn Neilson, Levi Palmer, Jayan Palmer, Mary Ann Leighton, Hayley Hawkins and Tyson Hawkins.
pickleball
Over-50 Mixed Doubles: Jon Bryant and Shauna Bryant – Champions
Mixed Doubles Under 49: 1st – Lenny Leighton and Lucas Johnson. 2nd Place – Bridget Preston and Coy Jay Rogers. 3rd place – Radoon Crick and Mark Smith
Men’s Doubles Under-49: 1st Place – Colton Cook and Darrin Ferrin. 2nd place – Lucas Johnson and Phil Oliver. 3rd Place: Matt Hatch and Ross Nichols
Women’s Doubles Under-49: 1st – Bridget Preston and Radon Crick. 2nd – Shauna Bryant and Tami Reynolds. 3rd place – Jennifer Merrell and Marla Romero
Gold Medal Over 50: 1st Place Men – Ross Nichols and Matt Hatch. Second place John Bryant and Dave Lidron. Women’s #1 – Tami Reynolds and Shauna Bryant. 2nd – Lenny Leighton and Cindy Hatch
