CEDAR CITY — Starting Thursday, Cedar City’s Historic Preservation Commission will celebrate the city’s 172nd birthday with four days of events honoring local history and traditions.
In this file photo, locals celebrate Cedar City’s 171st birthday at the “Traditions” concert by the Orchestra of Southern Utah, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 10, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, Cedar City News
Directed by Henry Lunt, a group of 35 men from Parowan began settling Coal Creek’s north bank on Nov. 11, 1851. They were sent to establish an ironworks, according to Cedar City’s website.
“The settlement was given the name of Fort Cedar because of the abundance of trees which were called cedar trees, although, in reality, they are junipers,” the site reads.
Now, 172 years later, Cedar City is home to almost 40,000 people, all of whom are invited to the city’s birthday bash from Nov. 9-12, according to a news release issued by the city.
“Cedar City’s Historic Preservation Commission is dedicated to being a resource to the community and the City Council on historic preservation, providing ongoing education alongside various community partners,” the release states. “This year, the Commission is excited to celebrate Cedar City’s founding with a fun-filled weekend highlighting its unique history.”
Thursday, Nov. 9
Bulloch’s Drug Store, as seen in this file photo, is one of many historic buildings located in Cedar City’s Historic Downtown, Cedar City, Utah, March 7, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News
The Historic Scavenger Hunt begins Thursday at 10 a.m. and will challenge participants with local trivia related to historic events and places throughout the city.
The sheet will be available for download from Cedar City’s website the day of, or can be picked up at the Cedar City offices at 10 N. Main St. or at Frontier Homestead State Park Museum at 635 N. Main St.
Scavenger hunt forms should be returned to the state park by Saturday at 2 p.m. to receive a commemorative prize and entry into the grand prize drawing, the release states.
Friday, Nov. 10
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Frontier Homestead State Park will be hosting Iron Mission Days.
People gathered at Frontier Homestead State Park to turn in their historical scavenger hunt sheets, receive a prize and eat cake and cobbler, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 12, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News
Attendees can expect blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations, learning “important skills from our historic pioneers,” according to the state park’s website.
From 5:30-7 p.m., the park will host candlelight tours every 30 minutes. Regular admission fees to the park will be charged at $4 per person, with those under 4 years old entering for free, the site states.
At 11 a.m., a Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at Southern Utah University’s Sharwan Smith Studen Center.
At 7 p.m., local historian Ryan Paul will host “Gone But Not Forgotten – A History of Cedar City’s Historic Main Street” in the Cedar City Council Chambers at 10 N. Main St.
Saturday, Nov. 11
The Iron County Veterans Coalition organized the Rock Garden Dedication, Veterans Memorial Park, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, Cedar City news
At 10 a.m., the Historic Preservation Commission and the Iron County Veteran’s Coalition will hold a ceremony honoring local veterans at the Veteran’s Memorial Park, 200 N. 200 E., according to the release.
Also at 10 a.m., Iron Mission Days activities begin again, with demonstrations in blacksmithing, ropemaking and using a printing press.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., admission to the park will be free as participants turn in their scavenger hunt forms and receive a slice of birthday cake.
Sunday, Nov. 12
The events will conclude on Sunday with a free Master Singers concert at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Theatre at 105 N. 100 E., where attendees will be invited to sing “Happy Birthday” to the city.
“We love celebrating the rich history of Cedar City,” Aleese Cardon, chair of the Preservation Commission, said in the release. “And we choose to make the celebration as special as possible because it is a special place.”
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