Hillsdale Park: A Pioneer Day Tradition

Do You Remember the Hillsdale Hoedown Carnival Every July 24th at Hillsdale Park?

While downtown Salt Lake City streets were packed with folks watching the annual Days of ’47 Parade, neighborhoods across the valley held their own celebrations to mark the arrival of the pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley.

One of the most beloved local traditions was the Hillsdale Hoedown, drawing record crowds each year to Hillsdale Park at 3200 South and 3200 West. The Granger 7th Ward and their neighbors worked tirelessly to ensure an afternoon and evening filled with fun, laughter, and lasting memories.

There were carnival rides, contests, games, booths, and food—always plenty of food! From hamburgers and fresh-dipped hot dogs to snow cones and baked goods, there was something for everyone. The annual horseshoe-pitching contest was a highlight, alongside sack races, three-legged races, and other family-friendly competitions.

One of the most cherished traditions was the auctioning of the Friendship Quilt, hand-stitched by the women of the Granger 7th Ward Relief Society. The quilt, often commemorating special events like the LDS Church’s sesquicentennial, contained the names of ward members and was a true work of love and community.