Brother Brigham's Ball to cap Pioneer Day

A popular feature of Utah's pioneer life, "the grand ball," is being revived by This Is The Place Heritage Park and a number of heritage organizations to cap the month-long Pioneer Days celebration.

The first annual Brother Brigham's Family Ball will be held Saturday, July 25, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. at the park.

Though he was raised in a strict family where music was considered sinful, Brigham Young loved music and dancing.

Dancing was a part of camp life on the pioneer trek to Utah; it was a welcome relief from the harsh frontier life in the settlements throughout the Intermountain West.

As territorial governor and president of the LDS Church, Young hosted numerous dances and grand balls in the city and at his farm home in the Sugarhouse area (that original home now is located at This Is The Place Heritage Park).

The balls were more than just dances. They included a Grande March, poetry readings, vocalists and a "repast" of some variety between dance segments.

Usually, they also featured the presence of the "Big Ten," a group of Young's single daughters whose attendance at a social affair virtually guaranteed its success.

Brother Brigham's Family Ball at This Is The Place Heritage Park will replicate all of those things, including the presence of the Big Ten.

Families are invited; dance steps will be taught so that all ages can participate. The "repast" will include Young's favorite doughnuts, recreated from an old family recipe, that will soon be added to the Lion House menu.

Period dress is encouraged. Tickets ($6/adult; $4/children; $10/couple; $25/family} are available online at www.thisistheplace.org or by calling 1-801-582-1847.