"STRAWBERRY DAYS" !!!!!

Hi Family!
It's here! "STRAWBERRY DAYS"! Utah's "LONGEST CONTINUOUS CELEBRATION. I am excited, for it is the one time of year when almost everyone can come home, and we can get together for good food, good company, and lots and lots of talking! AND....Last nite, I heard a little moaning and groaning, from "OLE BLACKBEARDS GHOST!!!" He wanted to make sure that we didn't forget him! He has hidden a fun treasure that he promises the kids will love! So bring a good appetite, lots of spirit, and don't forget the sunblock, it will be hot!
PARADE .....10:00 --12:00
LUNCH..........AFTER PARADE

I thought you all might be interested in reading alittle about the beginning's of Strawberry Days.
"Because of Grove Creek and Battle Creek changing courses over the years prior to the establishment of Pleasant Grove, much of the land on the east side of the community had rocky soil, which was an ideal place to grow Strawberries. In 1895, George T. Tomlinson became the first commercial Strawberry grower. Some of the largest Strawberry fields in the West were located right here in Pleasant Grove! About 200 or more acers of Strawberries. Some 2,000 young people were employed picking Strawberries, the revenue from the berries ran between $150,000 to $175,000. In 1930, 3,000 barrels of cold pack berries were shipped back east. They were popular for making Strawberry icecream.
In 1921, some of the civic leaders and farmers decided to have a town celebration in the summertime, where everyone could get together and celebrate the harvest of the berries. The first celebration was held in the street downtown. Bleachers were erected in a cow pasture for that first celebration and spectators flocked to see the pony parade and a horse pulling contest. Dances were a big part of the early celebrations.
That first Strawberry Days parade included sections called:
The Vision of Pleasant Grove
Indian Life
The Trappers Life
Father Escalante's Search for Unknown Trail
The Herders
The Pioneers
First School
Pleasant Groves First Flower Garden
Industry
Our best Strawberry Crop

The parade was followed w/a demonstration by the Provo Fire Dept, a band concert, Chicken
Dinner, Free Strawberries, the Boy Scout Band Concert, more Chinken Dinner, a free wrestling and boxing contest, an Operetta, by the Lindon 2nd Ward Choir entitled "The Merry MilkMaids, and a Street Dance, from 8:30-midnite. They had a Merry-go-round and a Ferris Wheel, and of course, Strawberry Booths!

Yup, this was the start of it all. So, come on home, family, and we'll make a few more memories!
Besides the ones of Kim riding her little Tricycle down town to see them set up the carnival, when she was only 4!! Grandpa Val found her, he about had a heart attack thinking of her crossing that hiway! There she was, in her girley stripped overalls, Pig tails, cowboy boots, leaning over the handbars of her trike, taking it all in. Or when Nate was 12, being a "Pooper Scooper" behind the horses, (oohhh what a sweeet smelling job!) And of course, all the boys at different times riding with Baseball teams, Kim on the boat, now 16, as a Cheerleader. And who can forget the Ambush when the Fire Dept. would come down the street during the evening parade. (yes, they used to have 2 parades on Thurs, one in the Morning and one in the evening!)
The boys would be waiting w/water balloons and hudge squirt guns, ready to soak the firemen! But not before the Fireman soaked them all w/their hoses!!! haha :) Oh, what fun memories.
Still have the picture of Tyler in his blue shorts, and Hawiian shirt, running down the road, to get all the candy!!! Sound familiar Tyler? He's still the first one out there, trying to beat Nate, to get the shirts, and frisbee's! Still boys'!!! :)
Love
Mom
Dang, we wish Nathan wasn't on duty, but Fillmore will be better protected w/him protecting them! :)