If you are new to the area, and have wondered what are some of the things that make us unique, it would be easy to point to our adjacency to some of the most visited and beautiful national parks in the country. Just as easy to tout the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, which just wrapped up another highly successful season. Of course, I could also point to Southern Utah University celebrating, once again, being the fastest growing, in terms of student enrollment percentage growth, in the higher education system in the state of Utah. All truly great distinctive landmarks and institutions of our community.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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But, if you are looking for something that really stands out, and is particular to the region, join me on Main Street in Cedar City this Saturday for the...Sheep Parade. Officially, it is an event of the weekend long Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival. If you haven't seen it, it really is something to see. Nearly a thousand of sheep, coming off the summer grazing sights on Cedar Mountain, will make their way through town, down Main Street to winter grazing locations. And it's more than just sheep. You'll see sheep wagons, where shepherds sheltered while they were with the flocks on the mountain. You'll see horses, youth groups, stock dogs, antique tractors and more. It is truly a wonder to see. The parade starts at 10am and will proceed north on Main Street starting at 200 South. But while the parade is considered the highlight of the festival there is so much more.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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While the sheep will continue up Main Street out to grazing areas in the Enoch vicinity, most of the other parade participants will head west to the Cross Hollows Event Center for a full day of activity. The Livestock Festival will run all day Saturday starting at 11. It features vendors, cowboy poetry, demonstrations and pioneer activities provided by the Frontier Homestead State Park.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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There will be a Vintage Auto Display from noon to 5pm, with automobiles from 1950 and earlier.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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Dutch oven cooks will conjure up some tantalizing servings of their favorite recipes during a Dutch Oven Cook Off. And you can enjoy the dishes they create by getting to the tasting opportunity that starts at 12:30. You'll need tickets for that, and the tickets go on sale at 11am.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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The Dennis Stowell Memorial Ranch Rodeo starts at noon, and has teams competing in authentic ranch skills such as branding, trailer loading, sorting and more.

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Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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There will be a kids pedal tractor pull, sheep shearing demonstrations, antique tractor and horse pulls and so much more. And you don't even need to wait for Saturday. Festival activities get started Friday morning at 10. You can get the entire schedule of events by clicking this link. Most of the events are free.

Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
Courtesy Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival
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But, for the big event, join us on Main Street at 10am Saturday morning. Even though the forecast is predicting a warmer afternoon for Saturday, that time of the day will still be on the chilly side, so dress appropriately. Oh, and do your shoes and vehicles a favor. Oh, you might not want to walk or drive down Main Street until after the clean up crews get things tidied up. Just sayin'.

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