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Show The Survey's Findings 51 Dance at the school, Independence Day. (Carl Fleischhauer; GCCS CFB-231196-15/16) banner reading "Thompson's Best Crop"; an entry representing the Latter-day Saint ward and the town decorated with sagebrush, children, and American flags; and a final float carrying parade royalty. In addition, the town's three oldest citizens, Winfred Kimber, Herbert Tanner, and Ella Tanner, rode in the back of a pickup above a sign proclaiming them "Grouse Creek's Best." The theme of the morning's patriotic program was "America's History," and a number of performers represented different periods in the nation's development. The program was followed by a series of foot races for the children, a baseball game, and a noon-time dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, and dessert. The rodeo, which began just after dinner, drew entries from Grouse Creek and surrounding ranches in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. The fences around the rodeo grounds were crowded with spectators watching cowboys compete in such events as team-roping, bull-riding, and bronc-riding. Rodeos became popular in the community during the late 1940s, when the present arena was built, replacing an earlier baseball diamond. The day ended with Brian Thompson's wedding reception at the church and a dance in the school auditorium. Although the celebration had a Western feel and highlighted aspects of the ranching occupation, the predominant values expressed by the day's activities were Mormon. Grouse Creek celebrated church, family, and patriotism on Independence Day. |