CEDAR CITY — Get outdoors and celebrate Pioneer weekend in Dixie National Forest at the “Pine Valley Heritage Day,” “Duck Creek Days” or the “Escalante Pioneer Day” events and learn about the history of pioneer and Native American cultures, see pack mules and cross-cut saw demonstrations and visit with Smokey Bear.

Pine Valley Heritage Day

Come enjoy a day of cooler temperatures with great fun and entertainment Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the 5th annual “Pine Valley Heritage Day.” The event is located at the Dixie National Forest, Pine Valley Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St., just east of the Pine Valley chapel.

The event celebrates the heritage of the Pine Valley area, surrounded by tree-covered mountain peaks that provide a respite from the blazing desert temperatures in lower elevation communities.

Artisans will display authentic spinning, weaving, tatting, quilting, rug making and candle dipping. Food vendors will provide quality burgers, hot dogs, drinks and authentic Indian tacos. Community public safety personnel will display fire fighting equipment and provide important safety tips and information.

Wagon rides will be offered every 30 minutes, including two-hour historic tours beginning at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Music kicks off at 11 a.m. with local singer Sarah Walther, followed by the popular singing duo Harvest Home and old-time pickin’ by Keith Behunin. St. George Live is bringing Jacob Hamblin and Orson Pratt to provide storytelling at 12:30 and 2 p.m.

Saturday

• 10 a.m. | Forest service presents pack mule and saw demos
• 11 a.m. | Music
• 11:30 a.m. | Storytelling
• 12 p.m. | Music
• 12:30 p.m. | Storytelling of the history of Pine Valley
• 1 p.m. | Forest service presents pack mule and saw demos
• 2 p.m. | Storytelling
• 2:30 p.m. | Music

Duck Creek Days

Stop by and see Smokey Bear at the Dixie National Forest Service booth at the “Duck Creek Days” Friday and Saturday at Duck Creek Village. There will be music and entertainment, kids games and activities, a chili cook-off, prize drawings, vendors and booths. Duck Creek Village is surrounded by the Dixie National Forest with hundreds of miles of all-terrain vehicle trails, hiking, camping and fishing opportunities.

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Arts, crafts, food booths
• 12-5 p.m. | Kids activities, Lance Van Sant disc jockey
• 6-10 p.m. | Live music, dancing featuring Muddy Boot Band and Rosin Cello Duo

Escalante Pioneer Day

Join in the fun Friday and Saturday in downtown Escalante to celebrate the pioneer history and cultures of the local area with food, drinks, entertainment, historical tours and outdoor recreation.

The Dixie National Forest will have a booth with children’s activities. There will be a kids parade and carnival Saturday.

Saturday

• 9:30 a.m. | Kids parade
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Carnival

Safety tips for weekend festivities

To prevent human-caused fires, fireworks, exploding targets and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on national forest lands year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Campfires should always be attended to and be dead before leaving the area.

If you see smoke while on the forest, report it by calling Color Country Interagency Fire Center at 435-865-4600 or 911.

Before you head out, know where you are going. Get a local forest map to make sure you are on the right trail with the right piece of equipment. Assure that all users can enjoy their national forests by doing your part. Know before you go.

Resources

• Dixie National Forest website, Facebook and Twitter
• Duck Creek Days website
• If you see smoke while on the forest, report it by calling Color Country Interagency Fire Center at 435-865-4600 or 911

Related posts

• 2015 Pioneer Day activity guide
• Pioneer Day firework restrictions 2015
• Explore: Pioneer cemeteries provide link to silver mining past; Silver Reef

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