Smithfield Health Days- A Unique Tradition

Many small towns host annual celebrations to honor founders, historic events or even local products for which they are famous. But, the biggest event in Smithfield has nothing at all to do with any of these. The city-wide celebration honors healthy living, during Health Days Celebration. Held the first weekend in May, since 1925, the town simply promotes living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying good health. Health Days has become synonymous with Smithfield.
According to an undated article written by Theoda Downs, of the Historical Society Smithfield, “the very first Health Day parade took place in May 1925 with all the students and teachers of Summit School crusading for health and declaring 100 per cent ‘okay’ teeth…” Perhaps that sounds a little strange, but the story of how Health Days came to be is fascinating.
Sarah McCracken, the principal of the Summit School in 1925 “heeded a call from U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, asking communities to set aside a day to promote good teeth.” Local dentist Dr. T.W. Jarvis donated many hours to examining the teeth of the school’s students, often for free.
“Miss McCracken decided to make the dental project the theme of a community-wide celebration.” Students and staff committed to reach a goal to have all the students being “Crusaders for Health,” with their goal: 100% O.K. teeth. Teachers and parents worked after hours sewing banners, white cloth capes and paper caps, adorned with a red Crusader cross, which were worn as they paraded down Main Street on May 5, 1925. An enthusiastic crowd cheered the participants on. After the parade, everyone gathered in the town square to hear a performance by the one-hundred-child harmonica band, directed by Principal McCracken. After the performance, the older students braided maypoles.
“Over the years, many people remembered the end as being the ‘best part of the parade.’ As the parade route ended, the children all marched through the tabernacle grounds and received an ice cream treat: a cone, a chocolate-and-nut-covered ice cream on a stick, or an ice cream sandwich.”
Citizens and elected officials were so impressed with the event that they committed to making Health Days an annual event, and the tradition continues in the biggest celebration in town. Activities have varied through the years, often featuring concerts and plays. During the early years, children dressing in costumes represented vegetables, fruits, milk and other healthy foods joined in the parade. Some even wore night gowns and bed clothing to promote the importance of getting a good rest. Often students would braid maypoles, weaving back and forth as they marched down the street, following the parade route.
For many years a pageant was held. Other years featured a plethora of various activities. However, the annual parade and crowning of Health Day Royalty, featuring girls in their junior year of high school have been a part of each year’s festivities. Food trucks and booth vendors always provide an almost endless variety of yummy treats and local crafts and goods.
Watching a Smithfield Blue Sox baseball game has always been a very popular attraction, as fans feast on ball park foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers and cold beverages, as they cheer on their legendary hometown semi-pro team, made up of some of the finest athletes produced in Cache Valley. Games are always held at Richard Hansen Field, west of downtown on 100 North. Many years featured competitions from local school athletes in track and field events.
The Smithfield Lions Club has presented their “Citizen of the Year” award the night before Health Days. B. Stafford Loosle received the first award and Craig Jessop, director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir received his in 2001.
For more than ninety-eight years this unique celebration has been an important part of the Smithfield experience. Events and attractions change to keep pace with an ever-changing community through the years, but traditions and fond memories will last through the lifetimes of all those who participate.
Come celebrate your own “healthy lifestyle” and join in the festivities the first weekend in May in beautiful Smithfield. Smithfield’s a great place to visit and an even better place to make your home.
Source: Selected from a collection of newspaper clippings and other articles compiled in “Smithfield Health Days,” a scrapbook assembled by Dorene Hendricks Skidmore.