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Russ Nelson pulls a handcart as a few of his children walk with him in memory of the pioneers during the city's Pioneer Day celebration on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Mapleton.

Michael Schnell, Special to the Daily Herald

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Ogden resident Marci Rigby hosts a podcast called "The Packout." A new episode released Monday, July 17, 2023, talks about the history surrounding Utah's Pioneer Day holiday.

Courtesy photo

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July 24 is just another day for most of America, but for those who live in Utah, it’s a day of celebration and remembrance of Latter-day Saint pioneers coming here.

On Monday, Marci Rigby released a new episode of her podcast she put together about Pioneer Day. The episode includes real stories about what some of the pioneers went through as they traveled from Missouri to the Salt Lake Valley.

The podcast is called “The Packout” and the episode is entitled “They Sang as They Walked.” It can be found and downloaded on Spotify or Google.

“As you travel around, people have never heard about Pioneer Day,” Rigby said. “There are so many interesting stories about them and what they went through and how they felt. They were real people and I think it’s important for us to remember them.”

Rigby grew up in Ogden. Because her husband’s job requires them to relocate, she has spent much of her married years living inside and outside of the country, but they’re back living in Ogden at present.

“When we were living in Mexico, I met this man who had a huge gift shop,” she said. “We got to talking and he told me his life story and how he grew up homeless. The Salvation Army helped him, but his whole town also got together and paid for him to go to college. I told my husband, ‘Somebody needs to record his story.’ It’s a beautiful human story.”

Rigby’s husband suggested she tell the man’s story and purchased a recording kit for her on her birthday.

“I basically taught myself how to do it and it’s been really, really fun,” she said. “There’s nothing more exciting about putting together a story and feeling that thrill when it just works out perfectly.”

During the podcast, Rigby’s mother, Janet Howard, talks about the importance of the pioneers in her life and relates some personal stories of her own.

“Knowing there were strong, strong people who sacrificed … I have to respond to keep the tradition going and do what they believe,” Howard said. “It feels like I’m a part of something that is bigger and grander than I am and I need to keep this legacy going.”

Howard said while many pioneers died during their trek and had to be quickly buried by their loved ones, there were also times of great happiness and laughter.

“The way you get strong is to have adversity. The pioneers were so strong and capable, and (they) sang and danced along the way,” she said. “We too have to be strong people. There’s always something to learn from them and we are expected to do our share of the work as their descendants.”

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