Parade Season in Utah: Trading Dog Leads for Model A Keys....

This week we're taking a little detour from dog news to share another hobby that brings our family so much joy... Our antique Model A's.

Jana and Andy, July 24th, 2026. Downtown Salt lake City, waiting for the parade to begin.

Many of you know us through our Cavaliers. When we are not at a dog show, there's a good chance you'll find us getting one of our Ford Model A's ready for a parade or tour.

One of the highlights of our parade season was the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City, held every year on July 24th, Utah's Pioneer Day. The celebration commemorates the arrival of the pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 and honors the courage and determination of those who settled our beautiful state.

Several of our Ancestors came west with the handcart companies and wagon trains, making this celebration especially meaningful to our family

Start of the Parade in front of the Temple The car is actually a 1930 Model A Coupe.

The Days of '47 parade is one of the longest running and largest parades in the United States. It is televised live throughout Utah, as well as parts of Wyoming. It is always an honor to participate.

This year we planned to drive our 1929 Model A Roadster, but a larger than normal oil leak, convinced us to leave it safely in the garage.

Instead, our dependable 1930 Model A Coupe proudly carried us through the parade route.

It may not be our fanciest Model A, but it never lets us down!

Lined up waiting for the parade with our friends and their beautiful cars.

This year also tested both the cars and their drivers. By the time we finished the parade route, temperatures had climbed to 100 degrees.

Anyone who has been lucky enough to ride in a Model A knows, there is no air-conditioning or power steering, and very little protection from the summer sun. It made for a long hot day, but seeing thousands of smiling spectators lining the streets made every hot mile worthwhile.

Andy and Jana in Mona Utah July 25th, 2026

The following day we climbed back into our little Coupe and headed to the small town of Mona Utah, for it's annual summer parade and festival. The trip itself is part of the adventure, requiring about a two hour drive each way in a 96- year -old automobile.

A sweet couple, who are members of our Utah Valley Model A Club, live in Mona. Making it a wonderful opportunity to visit with friends, enjoy a delicious luncheon with our club family, and celebrate both Utah's pioneer heritage and America's 250th birthday.

13 Model A's came to support the city of Mona. July 25th, 2026

Whether we're showing Cavaliers or driving nearly century-old automobiles, we're grateful for the friendships, traditions, and memories these experiences create.

Sometimes life's greatest adventures happen with a leash in one hand and the steering wheel of a 1930 Ford in the other!

----- Until next time, thank you for following along with all of our Zinabee adventures. Whether it begins with a wagging tail or the rumble of a Model A engine, We're grateful you've come along for the ride. See you next week! ----