Pie ‘n’ Beer Day

Written by: SAVANNAH BLAKE

Pie ‘n’ Beer Day, Pioneer Day’s rebel twin. Created by and for those that don’t fit into the ever present cookie cutter mold that has influenced the culture and politics in our fair beehive state.

Pioneer Day is celebrated on the 24th of July every year to commemorate the arrival of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah's Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

As an adolescent growing up in Cache Valley, Utah, I can remember what I did for the 24th every year. There were certainly days of fireworks, set off by civilians and professions alike. My family would walk from our house near Utah State University to the outdoor football arena formerly known at Romney Stadium. We would made our way down the sidewalks full of people cracking glow sticks and passing out sparklers until we reached the blankets and chairs my parents would have put out the previous night.

As you likely already know, for the general public, Pioneer Day is merely an extension of Independence day, making the whole boisterous affair last a month long. For those like myself who grew up inside The Mormon Church, Pioneer Day also meant a Pioneer Day parade, or two. On top of the parades that were put on by perspective cities across the state, many Mormon congregations, including my own, would have their own smaller parades as well.

I can recall walking through my childhood neighborhood dressed like a pioneer, bonnet and all on several early Saturday mornings throughout my youth. We would play Kazoos and sing a song known by all members, Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked.

As an adult however, there’s definitely been a lot less religious singing involved and a lot more drinking. Today Pie ‘n’ Beer day has been adopted as a legitimate holiday and is a celebration of counterculture across the state. And for more than a decade Utahs craft/home brewing community has jokingly called July 24th Pie and Beer Day, often getting together in someone’s backyard to socialize over a cold one.

This year the Pie ‘n’ Beer day festivities will be centralized in downtown Salt Lake City. Locally famed Beer Bar will be hosting Pie And Beer Day on July 24th from 12-4pm. Drop in to experience the “often imitated, never replicated, original pie and beer day party” and enjoy live music, local eats, and 5 pairings of pie and beer.

*Event proceeds to benefit The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Of Northern Utah*