Looking to fill the void left by the departure of the Castle Valley Pageant, a new show is making its way to the Emery County Fair. ‘Echoes From the Past’ looks to share the stories of Emery’s history while getting the community involved. Castle Country Radio was joined by Patsy Stoddard, Suzanne Anderson, Joyce Miya, Larry Jensen and Julie Johansen to get a glimpse into what the show is all about.

“The production’s going to be on July 31 at 6:30 p.m.,” opened Stoddard. “It’s going to be part of the Emery County Fair. As most of you know, Emery County lost the Castle Valley pageant a few years ago, and there has been a great loss and sadness in our county since then. We want to continue the history of Emery County, so we have started with a few vignettes that will be enacted.”

Anderson, the Emery County archivist, helps guide this production. ” There are so many histories and stories of the people that settled here and the things they went through, and they’re remarkable. These stories deserve to be told, and these people deserve to be remembered. So they inspired us to create these written vignettes so that future generations can remember.”

Johansen, who directs this production, explained her goal in the role:” I am just hoping to be able to make the scenes flow so that history is repeated in a correct situation and so that the audience will pick it up. I want the actions and the feelings of the actors and actresses to be portrayed to the audience. That’s going to be my main responsibility.”

Mia – who wrote the vignettes in collaboration with Jensen – discussed what she was most excited about with the production: ” It’s the people we’re portraying. For instance, everyone’s heard of the Swayze boys. And we just want to see them come alive so people remember them. Or the sheriff who got shot, one of the first sheriffs of Emery County. We’re just bringing it so that people can see what it was like back in that day.”

Jensen added to this sentiment:” There’s such a rich history that people need to realize that there are a lot of amazing stories that our ancestors lived. There were sheriffs, and there were posses, and there were horses and all that’s part of this show. Fun stuff like that.”

In addition to the production, the event will feature a crossover with the ‘Echoes From the Past’ treasure hunt in the form of an opportunity drawing. Prizes include cash and a utility trailer.

The show is still searching for local talent to play parts in the production, including cowboys, outlaws and narrators. To get involved, contact Anderson at 435-609-9757 or Stoddard at 435-749-9025.

‘Echoes From the Past’ will be held in the Castle Dale Arena on Thursday, July 31.