Pony Express Days rides on history, family fun
Mike Scoresby and his son Jake, 6, shield their eyes to look for their mom on the ferris wheel at Eagle Mountain's Pony Express Days on Friday, June 6, 2104.
A rubber ducks float through a canal in a carnival game at Eagle Mountain's Pony Express Days on Friday, June 6, 2104.
A driver gets T-boned at full speed by another contestant during a professional heat in this file photo from the 2012 Pony Express Days Demolition Derby. JORDAN STEAD / Daily Herald
The town of Eagle Mountain hosted its first Pony Express Days celebration in June 1998, two years after the community of approximately 250 people was incorporated.
Pony Express Days events were initially intended to reflect the western pioneer ingenuity and to remember the trail that Pony Express riders would follow through Cedar Valley carrying mail from both the east and west coasts.
The area is home to a number of natural landmarks, including a site along the original Pony Express trail from the early 1860s and 1,800-year-old rock art petroglyphs carved by ancient Fremont Indians.
Eventually, the growing city extended Pony Express Days to Pony Express Week until the city celebration (population 24,000) extended over two weeks featuring outdoor sports like archery and softball, bonfires, a rodeo, bike races, and skateboard competitions.
A headliner concert, too, draws thousands to the Silverlake Amphitheater.
Pony Express Days continues its tradition of a parade, 5K run, carnival, boutiques and sports tournaments but has been downsized significantly from its celebrations of last decade, reigning in expenses during a more frugal administration.
In spite of the change, there are several traditions that are unique to the community of Eagle Mountain that give cause to celebrate the community’s individuality.
One event that is very popular is the Pony Express Demolition Derby, sponsored and being brought back by a civic committee, the Pony Express Special Events. Tickets and more information on this event are available at www.ponyexpressspecialevents.com.
The derby, set for Saturday, June 6, will begin at 6 p.m. at the Eagle Mountain rodeo grounds. Other popular events include the Pony Express Days Family Fun Night on Wednesday, June 3, and the carnival, boutique and other events at Nolan Park beginning Thursday, June 4. Pancakes, whether for breakfast or dinner, have long been a part of the city celebration.
The geocache treasure hunt and the scavenger hunt for kids gives more of a pioneering feel during these events, although many a pioneer would probably have been thrilled to have a modern-day digital Global Positioning System.
Don’t let others know, but the Pony Express Days Parade is known as the most lucrative candy-throwing parade in the county, the pride of a community that has more children than adults who call Eagle Mountain home.
Oftentimes the children are more entertaining than the adults, darting out to grab flying candy and throwing it in their treasure bag to eat after the parade is done.