Redmond Town is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Pioneer Day celebration, adding special events and entertainment in honor of its sesquicentennial (150-year) milestone.
Festivities kick off Wednesday evening, July 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a patriotic ceremony featuring the presentation of the colors by the Salina American Legion, “Taps” performed by Levi Taylor on his trumpet, and music from the Murphree family, following their crowd-pleasing performance during the Fourth of July celebration. Ranger Allred will also be reciting Raggity Old Flag.
At 6:00 p.m., the town BBQ (hosted by Redmond Town’s beautification committee) begins, accompanied by live music from Rustic Poets, performing on Redmond’s new stage.
“We’re really looking forward to this band, Rustic Poets,” said event coordinator Lance Mickelsen. “I love their sound and variety, and they’re excited to come perform in Redmond!”
Rustic Poets brings a unique blend of musical styles—from Johnny Cash and George Strait to Tyler Childers and Luke Combs—delivering a mix of nostalgic country and modern hits. Known for their versatility, they often surprise audiences with unexpected twists of classic rock and reggae, keeping the crowd dancing and engaged throughout the night.
Unlike most cover bands, Rustic Poets showcase dynamic instrumentation, including live trumpet, mandolin, and keyboard. One of their signature songs, “Ring of Fire” performed with a trumpet, is always a crowd favorite and a testament to their flair for entertainment.
Following dinner and music, the Salina Fire Department will light up the sky with a fireworks show only rivaling Salina’s Independence Day celebration. Afterward, the community is invited to the park for a town dance.
“We wanted to do something for the youth and thought a dance might be fun,” said Councilman Lyman Anderson, who helped organize the activities. “But it’s really for everyone. We’ll have music playing after the fireworks and invite everyone to come down and enjoy the evening together.”
As part of the sesquicentennial celebration, Redmond is also hosting a town-wide scavenger hunt throughout the week. Families can explore and learn about the town’s rich history by visiting various historical landmarks. Clue sheets and instructions are available at the Redmond Town Office.
Thursday, July 25, begins with the traditional Pioneer Day Parade at 10:00 a.m. The parade will follow its usual down-and-back route, allowing viewers to enjoy each float twice. Afterward, lunch and children’s games will be held in the park, organized by Kami Christensen and the Redmond Youth Council.
At 1:00 p.m., two popular events kick off:
- The North Sevier Chamber of Commerce’s Cardboard Boat Regatta at Redmond Lake, and
- Toys for Tots BINGO under the west pavilion at the city park.
Redmond Town’s famous road rally will begin at 3 p.m., and this year’s rally will be organized by Brinlee Christensen- the winner of last year’s competition
The celebration continues on Friday evening, July 26, with Redmond’s third annual Friday Night Lights event starting at 6:00 p.m. This high-energy finale features food trucks and a variety of tournaments including 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and cornhole—capping off a Pioneer Day celebration that’s bigger and better than ever in honor of Redmond’s 150th year.
Those interested in participating in Friday night lights activities are encouraged to sign up in advance; there is a $5 registration fee.
