The 3rd of June was the final day for the Pony Express Days celebration in Eagle Mountain. The day started off with a parade that proceeded down Pony Express Blvd, the main street of Eagle Mountain. The parade started at 10:00 AM, and consisted of entries from the Cities Elected Officials, the local schools, and local businesses. Saratoga Springs was also represented in the parade. The road was lined with residents cheering on the floats, trying to get them to throw larger amounts of candy their way. Several announcers booths were setup along the way letting the spectators know what float was next, and why the float was in the parade. Local law enforcement protected the parade route, and keep cars from entering the route. The parade made its way from Hidden Hollow Elementary east to the Ridley’s parking lot. The parade consisted of close to 100 entries this year. The city awarded some awards for floats: best municipality entry went to Payson City; best corporate entry went to Bank of American Fork; workmanship and use of materials went to Rockwell Charter High Shcool; creativity and originality went to Intermountain Appliance Repair; overall appearance and neatness was awarded to Gotta Dance.
The parade was just the start of the last day of festivities. At 7:00 PM, one of the favorite events started. Eagle Mountain is home to a Pony Express Days Demolition Derby. Like last year, the demolition derby entertained a sold-out crowd. The rules were simple. Keep your car running, and you had to hit another car every 2 minutes, or you were considered out of play. There were several rounds, and the last two cars standing moved onto the final round. Between events, when the damaged cars were being towed or removed with heavy equipment, the spectators participated in games, including the frozen t-shirt contest. There were three classes of cars. There were the regular cars, that moved to the next round, a competition between mini-cars, and the trucks.
The demolition derby also included a motorized barrel race, where three barrels were placed in the area, and anyone with a motorized form of transportation then did a barrel race. One kid entered the area on foot, and beat the times of some of the horse powered contestants. The event pulled pick-up trucks, kids on four wheelers, several side by sides, a UFA bush fire truck, one of the Sheriff’s volunteer vehicles, and some heavy construction equipment. The fire truck had a hard time making the turns, so he backed up around one of the barrels.
What city sponsored event would not be complete without a fireworks show. The fireworks show started at 10 PM and ran for 17 minutes. The fireworks were launched from Cory Wride Memorial park, allowing them to be seen from the entire valley. The firework display ended, and the residents started to file out of the valley and return home. Marking the end of yet another successful Pony Express Days event.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.