Seventh Time’s the Charm: The 1980 Hillsdale Hoedown
Hillsdale Park – July 24, 1980
The 7th Annual Hillsdale Hoedown: A Day of Joy, Quilts, and Community Spirit
In the heart of Granger, Utah, the scent of grilled hot dogs and fresh-cut grass filled the air as families gathered for a cherished summer tradition: the Seventh Annual Hillsdale Hoedown, held on Pioneer Day, July 24, 1980, at Hillsdale Park (3200 S, 3200 West).
By noon, the park had come alive with the sounds of laughter, cheerful chatter, and classic games. The food booths were already busy—serving up sizzling hamburgers, fresh-dipped hot dogs, cold soft drinks, and scoops of ice cream. Kids clutched paper tickets as they lined up for the dart throw, ring toss, ping pong challenge, and a beloved favorite—the fish pond.
Just steps away, carnival rides brought thrills and giggles: a colorful merry-go-round, the spinning Merry Mix-Up, a playful Space Walk, and the unforgettable Slide for Life—a race that sent children sailing with joy. That race kicked off officially at 2:30 p.m., the same time horseshoe pitchers prepared to show off their skills. With a modest 50-cent entry fee, locals signed up at the booth, ready to compete and cheer each other on.
But the heart of the day—what many remember most—was the Friendship Quilt.
Created by the women of the Granger 7th Ward Relief Society, the quilt was a masterpiece of memory and meaning. Done in white and brown with a bold orange tricot backing, it carried the names of every ward member, carefully written by Kate Stark, painted in textile by Peggy Layton, and marked by Gay Dunn and Carolyn Butterfield. The hand-quilting was lovingly done by Relief Society sisters, stitch by faithful stitch.
This wasn’t just any quilt—it was created to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the LDS Church, bearing likenesses of Joseph Smith and President Spencer W. Kimball, along with the dates 1830 and 1980, to honor 150 years since the Church’s founding.
At 8:00 p.m., the quilt took center stage in an emotional auction. Alongside it were three other quilts—one crafted by the Beehive girls, one by the Mia Maids, and a third by the Laurels. Each one represented not just skill and care, but the shared spirit of generations growing up together in faith and community.
As the sun set behind the Oquirrh Mountains, neighbors gathered on blankets and lawn chairs for a grand finale: the fireworks show, lighting up the sky in bursts of red, gold, and blue. According to Wes Dunn, counselor in the 7th Ward bishopric and chairman of the event, the show would last 30 to 45 minutes, and it delivered a spectacular end to an unforgettable day.
The 1980 Hillsdale Hoedown wasn’t just another event. It was a celebration of heritage, faith, and the enduring bonds of a close-knit community—a day where everyone belonged, everyone cheered, and everyone left with full hearts
-A Quilt, A Carnival, and a Community: July 24, 1980
