Jesse N Smith Family Reunion Activity Details

We are finalizing details as we get closer, but the day will go something like this…

Saturday July 22, 2023– Main reunion day in Parowan (don't miss this day!!)

• 9:00: Early Registration & Swag

  • Starts at the Rodeo Grounds: Clinic Way, Parowan, UT

  • Continues all morning after opening ceremonies: Parowan City Center (address below)

• 10:00: Opening Ceremony & Swag

  • Held at the rodeo grounds: Clinic Way, Parowan, UT

  • Stadium seating under a huge, shaded pavilion

  • Grand entrance of Grandpa Jesse and 5 wives with horse &wagon

  • Stage performances, singing

  • Etc.

• 11:00: Registration, Swag, +Games and Activities (see options below)

  • Held at Parowan City Center (by Old Rock Church Museum), 59 S 100 W, Parowan, UT 84761

  • Parking at the Old Rock Church and the Stake Center on that same block

• 12:00: Lunch (not provided) / Visit

  • Options: Food trucks on site, local restaurants, bring your own lunch

• 1:00: Games and Activities continued… (see options below)

• 5:00: Dinner (provided) / Visit

  • Catered BBQ, Navajo Tacos, TBD (we are finalizing details)

  • Potluck deserts! Bring your favorite family dishes for pies, cookies, green jello, etc.

  • Share the recipes with your cousins!!

• 6:00: Time Capsule – this is the BIG reveal!!

  • Held in the backyard of the Jesse N Smith Home: 45 W 100 S, Parowan, UT

  • We’ll seal family predictions and memories in a concrete vault to be opened in 25 years!!

  • NOTE: follow emails and JNS Family Facebook posts to order your family’s vault container!

  • Balloon launch

• 7:00: Closing Ceremony & Family Prayer

  • Held at Stake Center Relief Society room

  • Jesse N Smith’s legacy video (~10mins)

  • Relatives around Me (~5mins)

  • Closing comments & prayer

Outdoor Activities…

• Pioneer games of all kinds (stick pull, corn hole, 9-square, etc.)

• Arts & Crafts

• Dunk tank (?)

• Cool summer treats (shave ice, watermelon, cold drinks, ice water, etc.)

• Historic tours

Indoor Activities…

• Stories of Jesse’s 5 Wives: Stake Center Relief Society room

• Family history stories and artifacts: Stake Center Cultural Hall

• Homemade butter and bread

• Decorate and fill your family cans for the time capsule

• Pioneer games (pioneer Nintendo, etc.)

• Missionary board

• Do your own family history kiosk

• Bring your documents to scan with Kindex!

Some exciting reunion experiences…

• Get to know Grandpa Jesse more personally (you will meet him here!)

• Learn more about each of his 5 wives and their amazing stories!

• Eat delicious homemade food!! (Dutch oven, BBQ, the works!!)

• T-shirts and other JNS swag

• Jesse N Smith’s pioneer home tours

• Historic tours of the town where Jesse lived and served as mayor!!

• The JNS 25-Year Time Capsule Launch (ONCE IN A LIFETIME!!)

• Get to know your JNS cousins from around the world!! (est. over 100,000 today!!)

• Family History –fulfill our divinely appointed responsibility to gather Israel by *knowing* our ancestors – their stories and legacy.

Additional Reunion Details…

• Optional Activities on Friday, Sunday & Monday (Saturday is the BIG family event)

  • July 21, Friday– JNS cousins temple session, Cedar City Temple (optional)

  • July 23, Sunday– Sunday services with JNS cousins (optional)

  • July 24, Monday– Enjoy Parowan Pioneer Day celebrations (optional)

    1. The city allows consumer fireworks at one site: Lions Park at 145 South 300 East 

    2. Monday afternoon will see Pioneer Day activities in town. A children’s parade will march at Parowan City Park starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by free dinner & activities 6-8 p.m.

• Lodging of all kinds available in Parowan and Cedar City (Google SOON to research and decide; filling up fast!)

  • Hotels

  • RV Parks & Campgrounds

  • AirBnB options