DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Manti to Welcome Thousands for Annual ‘Miracle’ Pageant

Manti is gearing up to have more than 100,000 visitors in town this month. The annual Mormon Miracle Pageant is scheduled to be held June 15-17 and 20-24.

The pageant, started in 1967 at the county’s fairgrounds, has grown to involve some 800 cast members, 300 prop and technical crew members, and another 900 volunteers who assist with traffic control, ushering, meals, emergency medical services and maintenance.

The performance is held on the grounds of the Manti Temple and is free of charge. The pageant begins each night at 9:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are more than 4,000 seats available, with additional room on the temple grounds for lawn chairs and blankets.

The pageant has the largest attendance of any outdoor pageant in the United States, attracting an average nightly crowd of about 15,000 people

People are encouraged to say in town for several days exploring the region, including taking scenic drives, taking advantage of the numerous outdoor activities, or visiting the unique boutiques and craft shops in town and along historical U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

Overnight accommodations are available locally, including camping and trailer parks. The Manti City Park is also available for camping, but can often be crowded. Advance reservations and planning is recommended.

A complete schedule and more information is available online athttp://www.mormonmiracle.org/  or by calling (435) 835-3000.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502