MANTI TEMPLE PAGEANT

This in from Ken:

We decided that this year we would go to the Manti Pageant. We've actually never been to Manti's Pageant since we've moved to Utah although we have been to two other pageants in the state (there are about 4 of them).

Aria's good friend Brett McPhail was visiting from Aurora, CO and we thought it would be fun. Besides, we had a resident expert in the pageant in the form of Mayra, who was born and raised in that area (Manti is about an hour south of Provo).

On the day of the event, however, Mayra was called into work, so that meant that we were without our expert. Davis and Steven didn't go because they had just come home from their 50 mile hike (not quite like Ashlee's, but compressed and over our local "hills" (aka the Uintahs). One thing working in our favor was that it was a Thursday night and I had heard that it wasn't as crazy on Thursdays.

The show doesn't start till 9:30pm, but we took off around 5:30. We arrived around 7pm and found a slight carnival atmosphere, but in a good wholesome way.



I recognize Sophie but . . .



 We found a place on the grass near the show and had great food. They certainly do try to feed you there. I think the highlight of food was the giant double chocolate covered strawberries. They were pretty spectacular.

We were going to stay on the grass, but venturing into the seats, we decided to move since there were still good seats available (its free, but first come first serve). They seat 14,000 people. I think they've picked up every church folding chair for 20 miles. We sat around until 9:00 and waited for the show to start.

Most of the pageants that we've seen have been wonderful, but very, well small townish from an acting point of view. But, this is the granddaddy of them all and actually it was pretty good. They had pyrotechnics and I was moved by a number of the scenes. The backdrop is absolutely spectacular and sitting below the umbrella of stars with the Manti Temple to gaze upon was pretty fantastic. All in all, I would say the Manti Pageant delivered.

The show ended around 11:15 so small kids were all asleep, so we drove home. We took the long way home, but I'd heard that it takes a lot less time since the traffic is terrible the other way. Still took awhile, but Brett was willing to drive the last 45 minutes, which was great. Made it home around 1:15a, tired, but all relatively happy.

(Note:  We took the kids to the pageant in the '70s and were so glad we could travel home going south as hundreds of cars were all headed north and very few turned south.)