Pleasant Grove’s Strawberry Days ‘rooted in the past, building for the future’
Kids partake in the fast-paced, crowd favorite Mutton Bustin' event ahead of the Strawberry Days rodeo Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in Pleasant Grove. Some participants cry, others laugh, but everyone is a winner in the eyes of the bystanders. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Avery Boren participates in the pie-eating contest during the Strawberry Days festivities Friday, June 16, 2017, in Pleasant Grove. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Kids partake in the fast-paced, crowd favorite Mutton Bustin' event ahead of the Strawberry Days rodeo Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in Pleasant Grove. Some participants cry, others laugh, but everyone is a winner in the eyes of the bystanders. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Rooted to the past, building for the future. That is the theme for this year’s Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove. The annual celebration, described by organizers as the longest running celebration in Utah, will be held June 16-24.
Plenty of strawberries and cream will be available at the events, but there is a lot more than that going on throughout the week.
With the theme in mind, Gary and Deann Keetch were chosen as grand marshals this year because they have deep roots to the city and also help to build the community, according to Lisa Young, Strawberry Days chairperson.
“They both have great roots to the area. Deann is part of the family that owned most of the orchards and farms in Orem. Gary was an educator and worked hard to help all youth in Pleasant Grove for years and years,” Young said. “Both work hard now to support local events. I have never heard the word ‘no’ come from either one. They are amazing and a great example to all of us of how we should behave, young and old.”
The week-long celebration will kick off on June 16 with a car show that is also a fundraiser for the Pleasant Grove Police Department.
“All proceeds are used to help the department purchase equipment, operate the Citizens Academy, help pay for our K-9 and Shop With A Cop. A number of local businesses are sponsoring the Honorary Colonels Car Show,” said Mike Carter, Honorary Colonel.
In addition to looking at more than 100 cars that are expected to be there, there will be music, prizes raffled off, K-9 demonstrations and food trucks. A highlight this year, according to Carter, is the National Guard 1969 Camaro with a 454 big block, built by the members of the 115th Maintenance Company. The car show is free to attend and will be held at Shannon Park, east of the rodeo grounds at 220 S. State St.
All of the popular events that residents and visitors come to expect every year will be back.
“The rodeo is always a sold out event every night,” Young said. The rodeo will be held June 20 – June 23.
Another popular event is the free concert in the park, which will be held on at 7 p.m. June 19 at Veterans Memorial Park, 300 S. Locust Ave. Audience members can enjoy free strawberries and cream while they listen to The Flashback Brothers perform.
Huck Finn Day, a kids’ event that is always well-attended, features fishing, train rides, games, face painting, prizes and more. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on June 22 at the Pleasant Grove Recreation Center, 547 S. Locust Ave.
Other goings-on for kids include a baby contest, children’s art and photography show, children’s parade, relay race, Mutton Bustin’ on rodeo nights, princess party and a safety fair.
This will be the second year that the Safety Fair will be held. First responders will be on hand to help teach families about being safe. The Pleasant Grove High School Biking Vikings will also be involved. The fair will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 19 at the Pleasant Grove Recreation Center, 547 S. Locust Ave.
For a full schedule and information about Strawberry Days, check out www.strawberrydays.org.