BOUNTIFUL—Due to the continued circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the Handcart Days Board of Directors, with input from the event organizers, have made the difficult decision to cancel the July 16 and 17 Handcart Days celebration activities, which include the Handcart Days parade and all other activities in the Bountiful City Park for 2021. Bountiful City, which hosts but does not organize the Handcart Days celebration, plans to continue with its annual fireworks show on July 24.

In an announcement released Monday, organizers said that preparing a large mass gathering event like Handcart Days takes months of lead time and preparation from hundreds of volunteers. 

“The social distancing restrictions that are currently in place have impacted and continue to prohibit the safe planning and work needed now to have a successful Handcart Days celebration,” the release said. “The many preparations needed for float building, school band practicing, and other required activities cannot happen safely at this time and therefore make planning for and executing a parade for a large mass gathering of people extremely difficult.” 

“It is also prudent at this time to not invest time and money in the planning and ordering of food and supplies needed for the various activities associated with Handcart Days,” the release continued. 

The fireworks display provided by Bountiful City will continue as planned. The event, scheduled for July 24, can accommodate any social distancing and mask mandates that might still be in effect.

With the continued progress being made with the vaccine for COVID-19, the Board of Directors, along with the event organizers and Bountiful City leaders are optimistic and look forward to Handcart Days coming back better than ever in 2022.