Santaquin Orchard Days: A small-town celebration
A young boy sits atop a sheep and prepares to ride it during the Little Buck-a-Roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Little Buck-A-Roo rodeo royalty Kamrie Steele smiles toward the crowd from horseback during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
A young girl struggles to stay on the back of her sheep during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
After falling off his sheep, a young boy is consoled during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Abbi Layne Kocinski smiles to the crowd during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
A young boy prepares his gear for riding during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Sheep are wrangled together in a pen before mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Rodeo queens line up to prepare for the national anthem during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Children participate in mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Children participate in mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Children participate in mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls.
SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Children participate in mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
A cowgirl warms up her horse during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Children participate in mutton busting during the Little Buck-a-roo rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Santaquin. Hundreds of spectators watched as children competed in competitions such as mutton busting, goat tying and mini bulls. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
It used to be called Cherry Days. Then Santaquin Days.
Now, Santaquin’s annual city festival is aptly called Orchard Days, and it’s expected to see growth this year, just as it has with the past few editions.
“Every year it gets bigger and more people get involved,” said Santaquin Mayor Kirk Hunsaker.
The weeklong festivities, which end Saturday, include some properly orchard-themed activities, such as the Cherry Pit Spit competition on the final day. There are also community events like the Buckaroo Rodeo and the main attraction of the week: the RMPRA Orchard Days Rodeo.
But it’s the small-town atmosphere that really makes the week.
“Everybody is involved,” Hunsaker said. “In fact, we have a lot of people from Payson, Goshen and other nearby communities. It’s sort of an area celebration, instead of just Santaquin.”
Regular attendees of Orchard Days will notice few changes to the standard events, though the parade will end at 200 West instead of 300 West to avoid congestion in the park, said Amy Johnson, recreation and events coordinator for the city of Santaquin.
Several events, such as the photo hunt challenge, the quilt show and the baby show viewing, will be going on throughout the week.
More information on each of the events can be found at santaquin.org.
Tuesday
Youth Home Run Derby: Callaway Field, 6 p.m.
Women’s Home Run Derby: Callaway Field, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Chieftain Museum Tours: 1-4 p.m.
Men’s Home Run Derby: Callaway Field, 7 p.m.
Friday
RMPRA Orchard Days Rodeo: 7:30 p.m. at 175 S. 400 West (fireworks following rodeo)
Saturday
Fun run: 7 a.m. at Mountain Land Physical Therapy, 94 W. Main St.
Grand Parade: 10 a.m. along Main Street
Cherry Pit Spit: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rowley’s Red Barn, 901 S. 300 West
Chieftain Museum Tours: 1-4 p.m.
Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Park
Talent in the Park: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centennial Park
HorseShoe Tournament: Noon at Centennial Park
RMPRA Orchard Days Rodeo: 7:30 p.m. at 175 S. 400 West. (fireworks following rodeo)