SALT LAKE CITY-Elder Ronald A. Rasband of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of Twelve Apostles has been named as the Grand Marshal of the Days of ’47 parade this Friday in downtown Salt Lake City.

Elder Rasband expressed appreciation for this opportunity, saying “this is a celebration of our pioneer heritage. It’s a celebration of what made Utah, Utah.”

The theme of this year’s Days of ’47 parade is ‘Pioneer Spirit Alive Today.’

The parade runs from 9:00-11:00 am Friday morning.

The first record of a parade to commemorate the Latter-day Saints’ settlement of the Salt Lake Valley dates back to July 24, 1849.

As of 1931, the “Covered Wagons Day” parade recurred annually.

The parade has been known as the Days of ’47 parade since the 1940s.