John Besendorfer, 89, has been celebrating Pioneer Day in Charleston for as long as he can remember. First, the day starts with a bang. Besendorfer said neighbors would light single sticks of dynamite to wake the town and start the celebration more than five decades ago. Similar to the Fourth of July, Pioneer Day is a holiday that honors history and heritage.  “That was the beginning of the 24th,” Besendorfer said.  These days, the morning wakeup does not include explosives. It does occasionally feature fireworks or music.  The town is filled with farmers who are used to getting up early, Besendorfer said. But on Pioneer Day the entire town lays down their responsibilities and dedicates their day to celebration. With just over 400 residents, Besendorfer said loyal locals attend the festivities annually.  “I look forward to it every year,” Besendorfer said.  The octogenarian has lived in Charleston for his entire life. He has attended Pioneer Day with his grandparents and parents, then his wife and children.  It’s the best Pioneer Day celebration in Wasatch County, he declared, if not in the state of Utah. And the Charleston celebration has been happening for well over 100 years, according to Besendorfer. His grandparents and parents all had stories of their own Pioneer Days.  “It brought people together over the years,” Besendorfer said.  After the town’s awakening with booms and, or, music, Charleston hosts a flag raising ceremony. Besendorfer remembered participating as a Boy Scout in his youth. There was always a breakfast cooked by the town and hundreds of hamburgers served throughout the day.  Spectators climbed greased poles and chased pigs. They participated in a parade and feasted at cookouts. They spent time together as a town.  “It means a lot, and it was part of my life. It was the biggest occasion of the year,” Besendorfer said. “There was more things and more people participating in it than during Christmas or any of the other holidays.” Everyone — neighbors, farmers and others — would gather.  Charleston’s Jessica Shepherd said she has been working hard to ensure this year’s Pioneer Day is as good as the last. She’s the secretary for the Charleston Community Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the town through events and improvements.  This year, Shepherd said she has tracked hundreds of volunteer hours. That’s not yet counting those who will be helping run events day of.  “In my lifetime, there were a couple of years that the town really didn’t do a celebration, but they just did fireworks,” Shepherd said. “So we’ve just tried to bring it back, and we’re just trying to make it what it was when we were kids growing up.” It’s a tradition worth keeping, Shepherd said. Because Pioneer Day is about more than fireworks and fun. Shepherd and Besendorfer said it’s about bringing the community together.  “It’s just the memories of community celebration and, for my kids, that’s what it has become,” Shepherd said. “It’s become one of their more favorite holidays.” Bigger and better than ever (according to Shepherd), this year’s Pioneer Day in Charleston will feature a laser light show. That’s a workaround for recent prohibitions on fireworks in Utah.  “A little bit outside of the box as far as just your typical drone show,” Shepherd said.  Plus, tethered hot air balloon rides for views of the entire Heber Valley.  Shepherd is getting ready to welcome family and friends from all over the state for Charleston’s Pioneer Day celebration. It’s a tradition that she has grown used to and looks forward to each year.  But Pioneer Day is something everyone in Wasatch County should look forward to, Shepherd said.  “It’s heartfelt,” Shepherd said. “It’s really just like good, wholesome family fun.”  The post Locals anticipate Pioneer Day in Charleston appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less