A Day to Remember: The 1981 Hillsdale Hoedown
Remembering the 1981 Hillsdale Hoedown: A Pioneer Day to Remember
Back when West Valley City was brand new and Granger was still tight-knit and rural at heart, neighbors gathered every Pioneer Day for a hometown tradition — the Hillsdale Hoedown.
July 24, 1981, marked the 8th annual Hoedown, drawing more than 7,000 people to Hillsdale Park to celebrate pioneer heritage with food, games, fireworks, and friendship.
Highlights of the Day
🎡 Noon — Fun Begins
Carnival rides for kids
Games and races on the grass
The smell of hamburgers, corndogs, and fries
Snow cones and fizzy pop in paper cups
Tables piled with homemade baked goods
🎯 2:00 p.m. — Horseshoe Pitching Contest
Divisions for men’s singles, doubles, and youth
$1 entry fee
Trophies for 1st and 2nd place winners
🏃♂️ Classic Pioneer Day Races
Sack races
Three-legged races
Other field games and friendly competition
🧵 8:00 p.m. — Friendship Quilt Auction
Special quilt made by the Relief Society with every name from the Granger 7th Ward
Other handmade quilts auctioned to raise funds and bring neighbors together
🎆 After Dark — Fireworks Spectacular
45-minute fireworks display — the biggest the Hoedown had ever seen
Sponsored by West Valley City Mayor Hank Price and the Granger Rotary Club
Finale featured the American flag and special surprises
The Team Behind the Hoedown
The 1981 Hoedown was made possible by devoted volunteers, including:
Bishop Lloyd Layton (Granger East Stake 7th Ward bishop & event chairman)
Wes Dunn
Bill Marshall
Paul Olson
Lloyd Wright
Errol Jackson
Steve Illgueth
Winnie Fiack
Julie Mulford
Vernon Miller
Carolyn Butterfield
Olaf Potts
A Celebration to Remember
For those who came with kids, neighbors, or friends, the 1981 Hillsdale Hoedown wasn’t just another summer party. It was proof of what made Granger strong: people working hard, laughing together, and keeping pioneer spirit alive for the next generation.
