Jim, Dena Smith Named Grand Marshals of 2026 Pony Express Days Parade
Jim and Dena Smith have been selected as the Grand Marshals for this year’s Pony Express Days Parade, an honor that recognizes their decades of dedication to the Eagle Mountain City community.
The Smiths have lived in Eagle Mountain for around 25 years and are remembered by many long-time residents as people who were there from the beginning, rolling up their sleeves to help build the community. Jim’s family is among the original landowners in Cedar Valley, including the Smith Ranch area, White Hills, and Firefly, just to name a few. Jim’s family farming legacy runs even deeper, his great grandfather homesteaded in Cedar Valley back in the 1850s, and together, Jim and Dena have spent their entire lives contributing to this valley.
“What Jim and Dena have done in the community over all these years is remarkable,” says Eagle Mountain City Mayor Jared Gray. “They’ve been instrumental in building the rodeo, supporting youth, maintaining their farming legacy, and serving the community. It’s hard to overstate their impact on Eagle Mountain.”
Their contributions to the community have spanned nearly 51 years of marriage and partnership. Jim first noticed Dena during an eighth-grade school dance and still remembers the moment clearly. “This most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen moved into our school,” he recalls. Determined to dance with her, Jim used money he had earned working on the farm to pay a classmate five dollars to switch places in line. The rest, as they say, is history. Together, Jim and Dena have raised 10 children and are now proud grandparents to 26 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, all helping carry on the family’s traditions and legacy.
“It’s been fun to watch the community from the beginning and grow this fast, and how they meet all the challenges,” says Jim. “I think it’s become a jewel of the state.”
Whether it was farming the land, Jim’s service as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, or their dedication to countless community projects, the Smiths have given freely. Dena has been Jim’s partner through it all, managing the farm’s books, working cattle, and supporting every endeavor her husband undertook.
Jim was more excited for his wife when he learned about the honor. He saw it as something that would cheer her up and get her involved in the community noting that she is facing some health challenges right now.
The Smiths say that their favorite part of Pony Express Days would have to be the rodeo. As vice chairman of the rodeo committee, Jim helps with managing the in-gate during performances, ensuring contestant safety, and handling the countless details required to run a major rodeo. Jim’s behind-the-scenes efforts helped transform the event into the community tradition it is today. Dena was right there with him, part of the team from day one. She’s even become a really good goat tying coach, helping young rodeo competitors learn the sport. And it’s paid off. Their family has won five state champion saddles.
Along with their family, the Smiths also co-founded Wasatch Wing and Clay, a shooting sports facility dedicated to youth education and outdoor heritage preservation. The facility just hosted the UTYESS State Shoot (Utah Youth Education in Shooting Sports) state competition, drawing young athlete shooters from across the Beehive State. For the Smiths, it’s been a passion project fueled by their belief in preserving outdoor heritage and teaching the next generation.
“The hunting and shooting, the rodeo and the farming, it’s all part of our heritage,” Jim explains. “It’s what we are. The further you are from the dirt, the further you are from reality.”
Mayor Gray says the decision to name the Smiths as Grand Marshals wasn’t taken lightly. “There were many good nominees, and it was a hard decision,” he says. “But looking at Jim and Dena’s lifetime of service, their commitment, their generosity, their impact on this community, it became clear they deserve this honor.”
The role of Grand Marshal is traditionally given to someone who represents the values and spirit of the community. The Smiths embody the hard work, partnership, and generosity that Eagle Mountain was built on.
Jim and Dena will lead the Pony Express Days Parade, waving to the crowd from the front of the procession.
Please note the parade route has changed. The parade will now begin at Pony Express Parkway and Mid Valley Road, proceed south, turn right onto Aviator Avenue, and conclude at Eagle Mountain Boulevard. Seating will be located on the west side of Pony Express Parkway and on both sides of Aviator Avenue.
The Pony Express Days Parade will take place Saturday, May 30 at 10 AM, and all are welcome to attend and cheer on this year’s Grand Marshals.