As July festivities approach their climax, the Ogden Pioneer Days organizers prepare for two parades to be held downtown on July 24.

The traditional Grand Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at 31st Street and Washington Boulevard and end at the 20th Street intersection. Another parade specifically for children will take a shorter route between 28th and 25th Street beginning at 8 a.m.

Horses, carts, floats and carriages will be the main features of both parades. Youth dance groups are also participating.

Organizers expect a crowd of several thousands and, in addition to road congestion due to limited parking capacity, Washington Boulevard in the downtown area will be blocked off from traffic during the morning hours.

The Grand Parade has been an essential feature of the Ogden Pioneer Days since the celebration first took place in 1934.

Unlike other events organized by the Ogden Pioneer Days committee, the Grand Parade doesn’t primarily celebrate the arrival of pioneers in Utah between 1847 and 1869. Instead, the parade commemorates the events of 1896 when Utah obtained statehood.