Events / Royalty Scholarship Competition

Days of '47 Burton Lumber

2026 Days of ’47 Royalty Scholarship Competition “Like~Learn~Love PIONEERS"

When

Friday - March 6, 2026 (Applications Due)
Friday - March 13, 2026 (Video Due)
Friday - March 27, 2026 (Individual Interviews)
Saturday - March 28, 2026 @ 5pm (Royalty Ceremony)

Where

Pioneer Memorial Museum
300 N Main St
Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

2026 Days of ’47 Royalty

The Days of ’47 and the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers proudly announce the 2026 Royalty Scholarship winners as Queen Lindsey Christenson, with attendants Daniela Bergantz and Sarah Lowry.

In addition to reigning over the July 24 Days of ’47 Parade and Rodeo, the 2026 Royalty will spend the coming year sharing the pioneer spirit and heritage through participation in parades, rodeo events, speaking engagements, concerts, and community appearances.

QUEEN Lindsey Christenson Queen Lindsey Christenson, daughter of Sheri and Brent Christenson of Fort Worth, Texas, is attending Brigham Young University, where she is majoring in Experience Design with advanced studies in Spanish. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and is musically talented in both flute and piano. Lindsey actively serves in community food pantries, refugee assistance programs, community storehouse operations, and library services. She also served a Spanish-speaking mission for her church.

ATTENDANT Daniela Bergantz Attendant Daniela Bergantz, daughter of Lisa and Daniel Bergantz of Stansbury Park, Utah, is a pre- nursing student at the University of Utah. Her talents include singing, ballroom dance, and ballet. Daniela has volunteered with Hobe Kids Cancer Camp and the Hope Foundation, contributing to efforts that support orphanages and promote literacy in Mexico. She also served a mission for her church.

ATTENDANT Sarah Lowry Attendant Sarah Lowry, daughter of Stacy and Jeremy Lowry of Murray, Utah, is pursuing a degree in accounting at the University of Utah, with the goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She is dedicated to academic excellence and is a trained singer. Sarah stays active through tennis, golf, hiking, and pickleball, and has led service projects through “My Hometown,” benefiting her local community.

Young women from throughout Utah were evaluated by a panel of judges based on personal goals, education, accomplishments, leadership, values, community service, and their Utah pioneer heritage. The 2026 Royalty will reign over the Days of ’47 Parade, Rodeo, Pops concert and other events during the month of July. They will continue to represent the State of Utah, Days of ’47 and International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers for the upcoming twelve months.

Appearances

To schedule an appearance by The Days of ’47 Royalty members, please contact Constance Huntsman at 801-450-2757
cdhalice@gmail.com.

Produced By

International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers
To learn more, vist the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers website.

Days of ‘47 - History of “Royalty in Utah”

The first record of a Queen in Utah was in 1897 when Emma Lunt was chosen the Queen of the first Utah Pioneer Jubilee. She had two Maids of Honor, 20 Attendants, and two Escorts. While wearing an elaborate gown and crowned as Miss Utah, the newspaper proclaimed her as “one of Zion’s most popular young ladies.” Her reign lasted five days.

In 1897, a committee of about 22 prominent citizens decided that Emma Lunt was the girl to ride in the horse drawn carriage during the 24 th of July celebration. Miss Utah attended all of the events, but didn’t have to do anything but look pretty and make a formal bow.

The first pioneer parade was held in 1849. The parade was called “Covered Wagon Days” until 1931 when the name of the celebration was changed to “Pioneer Days.” The 1931 Queen (or “Miss Pioneer” as she was called) was Margaret Young, a direct descendant of Brigham Young. In fact, that year all 200 contestants were direct descendants of Brigham Young.

On July 5, 1943, Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Sons of Utah Pioneers signed an agreement to officially sponsor a Pioneer Day parade and to celebrate Utah’s pioneer heritage each year through a Days of `47 committee, a private nonprofit corporation. The event was renamed, The Days of `47. The first Days of `47 Queen was Pat Pixton.

The International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers orchestrates the Days of ’47 Royalty Pageant. Rather than being a “Zion’s most popular young ladies contest,” today’s royalty is selected based on community service, education/knowledge, charity, values and pioneer heritage. Young women are chosen based on those who exemplify the high standards of pioneers -- past and present. All royalty are descendants of Utah pioneers (1847 – 1869).

About the Event

The Days of '47 Royalty Scholarship Competition is produced by International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers. All the young women who competed in this years competition graduated from high school and are between the ages of 18 and 25. The chosen royalty will ride in The Days of ’47 Parade, will be in attendance at many functions (such as The Days of ’47 Rodeo), and will speak at numerous gatherings and events during their reign. They will be role models to all young women who hear their message as they represent the State of Utah, The Days of ’47, Inc. and Daughters of Utah Pioneers.