Orchard Days celebrating progress by remembering the past
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
Participants and spectators watch the home run derby on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Callaway Field in Santaquin. The event was a part of Orchard Days. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
It may not rank high on the population scale — being one of smallest cities to nestle next to the Provo-Orem metropolitan area — but when it comes to celebrations, Santaquin sets the bar high with a four-day Orchard Days festival. Kicking off on July 28 and running strong until the finale on Aug. 4, this year’s rodeos and town events are projected to pull in more spectators than ever.
“We expect this to be one of our biggest years yet” said rodeo coordinator Paige Steele. “We have done a lot of work to our fairgrounds, adding new lights and seating.” With upgrades to the new fairgrounds, the city hopes to host more activities throughout the year; kicking off with a Diamond Rio concert.
“The focus this year is to bring our town together to celebrate future successes, while remembering our heritage,” Reeves said. The celebration, which dates to the 1960s and ’70s and until the early 1990s was known as “Cherry Days,” marks a significant shift in the town’s — and Utah County’s economy. “We have gone from primarily Orchard fields to a thriving city and these events are to celebrate our progress.”
While the Orchard Day rodeo, eight-time winner of the best rodeo in the Rocky Mountain National Rodeo Association, is the highlight of the festivities, the event agenda is packed full of festivities everyone can enjoy.
“We have many wonderful events scheduled, with all ages and interests in mind,” Mayor Kirk Hunsaker stated in his annual welcome letter that appears in the Orchard Days 2018 Event Guide, available on the city’s website. The mayor recognized event chairperson Amy Johnson, rodeo coordinator Paige Steele and all the many volunteers from throughout the community who have planned this great Orchard Days event.
“We have over 100 volunteers this year and without their help, none of this would be possible,” Steele said.
Kicking off the city’s festivities will be the Little Buckaroo Rodeo, Saturday, July 28 at the Santaquin Rodeo Arena. “This year we are including more age groups in the awards process,” Steele said. “Instead of giving out one saddle to the best cowboy and cowgirl, we are giving out seven saddles — best cowboy and cowgirl of all the seven age groups.”
All other main events featured in years previous, such as the home run derby, the quilt contest and the Grand Parade, will be continued on in 2018 capping off with the city’s extraordinary firework show.